Zac Efron finds 'Death and Life' for his next picture

Um, Zac Efron "clutches his pearls" Tuesday, March 24 at the French premiere of "17 Again." 

Credit: AP Photo/Francois Mori

Should Kenny Ortega be offended?

Ortega put Zac Efron on the map by casting him in the first "High School Musical" TV movie and finally got to direct him on the big screen in last fall's "High School Musical 3: Senior Year."  In between, Efron went from Adam Shankman's "Hairspray" to starring in "17 Again" which was also produced by the former choreographer, but directed by "Igby Goes Down's" Burr Steers.  Now, Variety reports Efron is negotiating to appear in Steers' next project, an adaptation of the novel "The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud."  This comes on the heels of yesterday's revelation that Efron just ditched Ortega's reboot of the classic 80s flick "Footloose." 

Yeah, he's probably a tad annoyed.

Written by former "Good Morning America" producer Ben Sherwood, "St. Cloud" centers on a cemetery caretaker who somehow manages to meet weekly with his deceased younger brother whose death he feels responsible for.

It's unclear which character Efron will play, but production is expected to begin this July.

As for "Footloose," the trade reports that Paramount is still moving forward with the remake (why dear god, why?) and has it set for a 2010 release.  New actors are being considered and while the film will not be a traditional sing-song musical, the heroine in the picture will be a singer. 

Efron will appear next in "17 Again" on April 17 and his indie "Me and Orson Welles" is expected to be released later this year.