This weekend’s latest new Netflix original movie A Family Affair shows characters played by Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron falling in love despite the person that connects them being very much opposed to the whole thing. Both Kidman and Efron have proven to have massive range across their careers, but one certainly can’t forget each of their iconic forays into movie musicals. So why didn’t the movie have them sing together? We have the answer.
When CinemaBlend spoke to A Family Affair ’s director Richard LaGravenese for the movie’s Los Angeles press day, I had to ask if he even thought about having them duet in the romantic comedy. Here’s how he responded: I can't believe you said that, in the first draft of the rewrite, I had him singing to her, but Zac didn't want that. He didn't want that part of it.
So, I actually wanted that in there. Zac Efron earned his fame thanks to his early work in the High School Musical movies, and he starred in other musicals like The Greatest Showman and Hairspray (the latter of which he had a surprising reaction to when we talked about it in our A Family Affair interview). However, in his more recent movies, he has not leaned into his musical roots.
Apparently, he wasn’t looking to do so in the new movie either. Kidman has a few musicals to her name as well. Between Moulin Rouge , The Prom and Nine , the actress and Efron can certainly bond on their musical history.
In terms of what LaGravenese wanted the HSM alum to sing, here’s .
