Me and Orson Welles is a 2009 period-drama film directed by Richard Linklater and starring Zac Efron, Christian McKay, and Claire Danes. Based on Robert Kaplow's novel of the same name, the story, set in 1937 New York, tells of a teenager hired to perform in Orson Welles' production of Julius Caesar, where he becomes attracted to a career-driven production assistant.

In New York in 1937, 17-year-old Richard Samuels (Efron) meets theatre director Orson Welles (McKay), who unexpectedly offers him the role of Lucius in Julius Caesar, Broadway's first Shakespearean production, at the Mercury Theatre. Welles is having an extramarital affair with the leading actress while his wife is pregnant. Richard finds ambitious production assistant Sonja Jones (Danes) is attracted to him. During rehearsals, Richard sets off the sprinkler system, but persuades Welles he was not responsible. Welles decides the entire production crew would benefit from a coupling game, and Richard cheats to ensure he is paired with Sonja. Richard spends the night with Sonja, but becomes jealous when she passes the next night with Welles. He confronts Welles, mentions his pregnant wife, and is fired. An apparent reconciliation follows, and Richard performs on the first night. The play Caesar, which is an anti-Nazi, is a huge success. But Richard is told he is really fired. He finds a new girlfriend. [2]