(Cover) - EN Movies - Zac Efron is reportedly ready to dive onto the big screen as superhero Namor the Sub-Mariner.

The former High School Musical hunk is believed to be Marvel Studios' preferred choice to play the comic book character, who is one of the world's first superheroes, after making his debut in 1939.

"Zac is seen as perfect for the role," an insider is quoted as saying. "He can fit the role physically and has the acting skill necessary and he has a fan base to help make the movie a hit. Namor is an unusual character but the underwater aspect is something producers are very excited to be putting onto the big screen."

Dubbed the first comic book antihero, the short-fused prince of an underwater kingdom is a popular character and is one of Marvel's most enduring heroes.

While Zac is a self-confessed superhero geek and was linked to the role of Superman and Spider-Man, he has always been reluctant to star in one.

"It hasn't been the right time necessarily, or it's too early," he said in an interview last year. "I don't feel that I've earned it quite yet, to be honest. The people that you see them find for superheroes, you go, 'Oh yeah, that's great. That guy is perfect, what a great idea.' Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern? You go, 'Finally, he's going to do something great! We've been waiting for it, he's done all these other things and now I want to see him as that character.'" (C) Cover Media