If Melora Hardin were 17 again, she would definitely have a thing for Zac Efron.
The "Office" actress appears with Efron in the movie "Seventeen Again," due next year. In the flick, she plays his school principal, and after working with him, she totally understands what all the hoopla is about: Hardin said he's every bit as attractive as people make him out to be.
"He is a dreamboat. If I were that age and single, I'd be in so much trouble," she said. "I said, 'You'd be exactly my type.' He liked it — he was like, 'That would be great.' I was of course teasing but of course not teasing."
In addition to his physical attributes, Hardin notes that Efron is a very sweet guy. "He's just a lovely, lovely person," she said. "He's so nice and grounded and sweet as can be. He's the real deal. He's a teen idol."
Speaking of teen idols, Hardin also had the chance to work with Miley Cyrus on the "Hannah Montana" movie being released next year. She said that despite achieving staggering success at such a young age, Miley is extremely grounded and focused.
"She was great. She's a very normal 15-year-old girl, and I guess that makes her extraordinary, considering the circumstances," Hardin said. "She works hard and she's got a good attitude. I think with the right direction and the right choices, she can do some great things."
Hardin plays Billy Ray Cyrus' character's love interest in the film, and she found the role a welcome change of pace from her overly ambitious character, Jan, on "The Office." "He's a very nice guy, and we had a real good time together," she said. "She's such a different character than Jan. She's earthy, with no ulterior motives."
But soon enough, Hardin will be back to playing the now-pregnant, on-again/off-again love interest to Steve Carell's character, Michael Scott. "You know she'll either be a great mother or be the greatest example of what not to be as a mother," she said. "It'll be interesting to see Michael and Jan now. They always have a power struggle. He had it all last season, and now she's got it back again, and it keeps them an interesting couple."
Hardin also spoke about the spinoff rumors surrounding "The Office."
"I think [creator] Greg Daniels doesn't want to disrupt the magic that happens over at 'The Office,' " she said. "I know a lot of people felt Jan would be a perfect character for a spinoff, and she is, but she's important to Michael and his evolution as a man. She adds a real fight. She's that surprise spice that makes the dish."
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