Zac Efron
Zac Efron is pictured arriving at the MTV Movie and TV Awards on May 8, 2017 in Los Angeles. Reuters

KEY POINTS

  • Some social media users suggested that Zac Efron's new look was similar to the "Shrek" villain Lord Farquaad
  • The 35-year-old "Baywatch" star was photographed in costume while filming his upcoming movie, "The Iron Claw"
  • Efron debunked the plastic surgery rumors, explaining that he shattered his jaw when he slipped

Zac Efron's shocking new look is making waves on the internet, and some social media users are comparing its uncanny similarities to the infamous "Shrek" villain Lord Farquaad.

While the 35-year-old "High School Musical" alum was filming for his upcoming movie, "The Iron Claw," a real-life story based on the "rise and fall" of the three wrestling Von Erich brothers, he was photographed in what seemed to be a costume for his role as Kevin Von Erich.

In the leaked photos shared by Twitter user @wrkhs Wednesday, Efron was seen sporting a tight gray sleeveless tank top paired with ripped denim shorts and a brown medium-length wig with short bangs and wavy hair, leading some social media users to conclude that he resembled Lord Farquaad. The character also had short black hair with bangs and a short build.

"Mr. [Farquaad] came out today," one user wrote.

Another commented, "I know Zac Efron is playing Kevin Von Erich, but he looks like a [sole] Lord Farquaad."

"Looks like a fit version of lord Farquhar [sic]," a third user said, referring to Efron's buff appearance, which he gained in preparation for the role of the professional wrestler.

Another user joked, "Lord Farquaad ready for his rematch with Shrek."

"Not Zac Efron becoming lord farquaad's lost brother," a fifth user joked, posting a side-by-side photo of the actor and the character.

Twitter users were surely amused by the actor's appearance that they also compared him to other characters and Hollywood personalities, including He-Man, the fictional protagonist of "Masters of the Universe," Will Byers from "Stranger Things" and actor Lou Ferrigno's Incredible Hulk portrayal in the late '70s.

Some social media users were also keen to point out the noticeable change in Efron's jaw. The actor was rumored to have undergone surgery to enhance his jawline.

In an interview with Men's Health released last month, the "Neighbors" star debunked the surgery rumors and explained that he shattered his jaw while running through his house with socks on. The actor reportedly slipped, leading to his chin hitting the granite corner of a fountain.

Efron recalled that upon waking up from losing consciousness, he saw his chin bone "hanging off his face." During that time, he was also recovering from post-training injuries obtained while filming "Baywatch" with his co-stars Dwayne Johnson, Kelly Rohrbach and Alexandra Daddario.

When the actor was asked about the current condition of his jaw, he said that the masseter muscles, one of the four muscles used for chewing, were affected by the injury; hence, the muscles from the inside of his face and his jaw "had to compensate," resulting in the masseter growing "really big."

Efron reportedly worked with a specialist and underwent physical therapy to resolve this, but he had taken some time off while in Australia.

The actor seemed unbothered by the social media attention garnered as he "generally" avoided it and revealed that he only found out about the plastic surgery rumors from his mother.

"If I valued what other people thought of me to the extent that they may think I do," Efron said. "I definitely wouldn't be able to do this work."

Zac Efron
Actor Zac Efron attends the 2017 MTV Movie And TV Awards at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California on May 7, 2017. Getty Images/Matt Winkelmeyer