Zac Efron has left his squeaky-clean school boy image behind for a new movie role.

The High School Musical star is barely recognisable in newly-released shots from Me and Orson Welles, where he is seen sporting a more sophisticated attire for the period drama.

Zac said recently of his post-HSM plans, “I'm looking for something new and exciting to do. I want to do something dark or a comedy.

“There's tons of icons that I would love to work with on something new and exciting."

In the upcoming movie Zac plays a 17-year old who is cast in a young Orson Welles' theatrical production of Julius Ceasar in 1937.

Zac swaps his East High uniform for some more dapper threads in Me & Orson Wells