Zac Efron Out, Nicholas Hoult Straps In for 'Autobahn'

Hey, remember Autobahn? The film had some juice earlier year thanks to Brit director Eran Creevy coming aboard, right after making a splash with the crime flick Welcome to the Punch. With Amber Heard and Zac Efron coming aboard to star, the actioner looked like one to keep a close watch on. Now there's been a significant change at the top of the card with Zac Efron dropping out, but his replacement might just be a step up.

Nicholas Hoult, who has had a busy year already with Jack the Giant Slayer and Warm Bodies, has replaced Efron in the film, about a backpacker and his girlfriend who are hired by German drug smugglers. When the job goes belly up they are forced to flee on the titular highways.

Filming begins next spring, before Hoult will be seen as Hank "Beast" McCoy in X-men: Days of Future Past.