Zac Efron took to Instagram to promote his upcoming motion picture, Gold.
He posted a video teasing the movie, writing,
"Filming this was brutal— but I love this [s--t]. So proud of everyone involved and thank you to everyone who has watched so far."
The film is set to follow Efron's character, a desert drifter who discovers a giant gold nugget while in the wilderness with his partner. While his companion goes to fetch excavation equipment, Efron must guard the gold, putting him through a series of mental and physical tests.
The survival thriller was filmed in Australia during the summer. Australia is already known for its harsh conditions, but the time of year proved to be challenging in its own right. As Efron shared,
"When we drove out to the location I was just blown away by the scenery and sort of feel and the vibe of the area. Unbelievably mesmerizing. Very desolate and dry and very harsh conditions. [...] We filmed through some of the gnarliest conditions I've ever witnessed in my life. It showed a lot of solidarity and teamwork on behalf of the crew and our production. It was really really fun."
According to Efron, the crew filmed through massive dust storms---some of which made their way into the movie. Director Anthony Hayes elaborated, also praising Efron's work ethic.
"It was a real challenge. It was probably the most brutal shoot I've done in 35 years. It was extraordinary. It was a performance he'd never given before. It was extremes he'd never worked in before. But with A-list actors who are used to a level of comfort, you never know what's going to happen once you get into the desert. Once Zac got out there, he was just the hardest working dude you could get. He didn't complain once."
The High School Musical star opened up about his career going forward, excited for the growth that the new roles he takes on will bring.
"In terms of goals and resolutions, I always want to challenge myself, personally and professionally, be more mindful and take time to appreciate the simple things in life."
Gold will premiere in U.S. theaters March 11 and On Demand March 18.
