Hollywood heart-throb ZAC EFRON has cut off his trademark locks in a bid to land more serious acting roles.

The High School Musical star is keen to shed his teen idol image, and wants to move away from the clean-cut movie parts that made him famous.

And the formerly floppy-haired hunk is slowly snipping away at his pretty boy reputation - after showing up on the set of his new movie with a shorter, sleeker crop.

The image overhaul may have something to do with Efron's forthcoming big screen venture - he is set to star in a "sexy thriller" from the writer of The Thomas Crown Affair.