Exclusive

Vanessa Hudgens' New British Import

Source: Unknown model-turned-actor Alex Pettyfer in talks to star in Beastly alongside High School Musical actress

By Marc Malkin Apr 21, 2009 7:43 PMTags
Vaness Hudgens, Alex PettyferLucas Dawson/Getty Images; Mike Marsland/Getty Images

Looks like Vanessa Hudgens may have another shaggy-haired hottie in her life.

I just got word that 19-year-old British actor Alex Pettyfer is in talks to costar with Hudgens in the upcoming Beastly.

It was announced this morning that Hudgens has been cast in director Daniel Barnz's modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast, based on Alex Finn's young adult novel of the same name.

Funny enough, Hudgens' real-life boyfriend, Zac Efron, was reportedly once a top contender for Beastly's male lead.

Pettyfer is a child model turned actor, whose credits include playing teen spy Alex Rider in Stormbreaker and acting in Wild Child opposite Emma Roberts. He most recently appeared in an ad campaign for U.K. luxury fashion house Burberry.

Beastly is expected to shoot this summer. Hudgens will then film director Zack Snyder's Sucker Punch.


We're up for Webby Awards! Vote for E! Online in the Celebrity/Fan and Mobile categories!