If it were up to him, Taiwanese entertainer Show Luo would cast compatriot crooner Jolin Tsai, 27, as bookish girl-next-door Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Anne Hudgens) in High School Musical 2.
"She can speak English … she can dance," he explained.
As for the role of spoilt brat Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale) — his favourite character in the show — Selina Ren from girlband S.H.E is his pick.
Luo, himself, would of course replace California-born actor Zac Efron as campus heartthrob-cum-basketball captain Troy Bolton.
While the 28-year-old singer-host hasn't exactly realised this big-screen dream, he's at least now the star of the music video for the Mandarin version of the song Bet On It, from the Disney telemovie.
In Singapore last week for a promotional trip, he was all smiles and cheeky humour, even attempting a few halting phrases in English.
But it wasn't all smooth sailing when shooting the three-minute video, in which he appears playing basketball and baseball as well as a ninja.
He hurt his foot while landing hard on the ground after a jump in a dance routine. But he gamely went ahead with the shoot. Following that injury, record label EMI Capitol insured his legs for a reported NT$50 million ($2.31million).
After releasing four albums in five years, he is now busy with his Show on Stage concert tour, which is scheduled for Dec 1 in Singapore.
And just how does he see himself in comparison to current Hollywood IT boy Efron? "Oh, he's definitely cooler, but I'm cuter!"
The Asia special edition of the High School Musical 2 soundtrack will be out in stores from Sept 17.
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CNA
