Ever watch a movie and think, "These two are definitely best friends in real life"? That was the vibe back in 2016. When Zac Efron and Adam Devine shared the screen in Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, the chemistry wasn't just good—it was chaotic. It was the kind of energy you usually only see at 2 a.m. in a Taco Bell parking lot.
They played the Stangle brothers, two disaster-prone siblings who manage to ruin every family gathering they touch. Off-camera, they seemed just as tight. They were doing joint interviews, hitting red carpets together, and basically acting like they’d been separated at birth.
But Hollywood is a weird place.
People move on. Schedules get messy. One minute you’re filming in Hawaii, and the next, you’re on different continents. If you've been wondering why we haven't seen a "Mike and Dave 2" or if the two are even still talking, the answer is... complicated. It involves a very strange story about a beach house and a total disappearance.
The Hawaii Era: Where the Bromance Began
Let's go back for a second. 2016. Zac Efron was in the middle of his "comedy pivot." He was trying to shed the High School Musical skin by doing R-rated comedies like Neighbors and Dirty Grandpa. Adam Devine was the wild card from Workaholics and Pitch Perfect.
On paper, it’s an odd pairing. Zac is the chiseled leading man; Adam is the high-energy human cartoon. But it worked.
During filming in Hawaii, they weren't just "co-workers." There’s a famous story from the set where Adam Devine actually got deathly ill. He was stuck in his hotel room, feeling like he was dying. What did Zac do? He didn't just send a "get well" text. Zac Efron stayed up until the sun came over the horizon, texting Adam to keep his spirits up. He even offered to bring over Pepto Bismol and ice towels.
That’s real-deal stuff. You don't do that for someone you just "tolerate" at work.
The Real Mike and Dave
The movie was actually based on two real guys, the Stangle brothers, who posted a Craigslist ad looking for wedding dates. The ad went viral because it was hilarious. While the movie dialed the insanity up to eleven, the bond between Zac and Adam felt grounded in that real-brother energy.
The Ghosting Scandal of 2025
Fast forward to April 2025. Things took a turn for the weird.
Adam Devine sat down for an interview on the In Depth with Graham Bensinger podcast and dropped a bit of a bombshell. Apparently, the two hadn't talked in a couple of years. Then, out of nowhere, Zac gives him a ring.
"Hey man, I just want to let you know that I miss you," Zac allegedly said.
Touching, right? It gets better. Zac, who was apparently calling from a private island (because of course he was), asked if he could come crash at Adam’s beach house for two weeks. Adam, being a stand-up guy, said sure. He even told his wife, Chloe Bridges, to expect a world-famous houseguest.
Then... silence.
Zac never showed up. No follow-up call. No "hey, can't make it" text. Adam Devine confirmed that Zac basically ghosted him. "I even texted him like, 'Are you gonna stay here?' And haven't talked with him since," Adam told the podcast.
It’s the kind of move that would end most friendships, but Adam told the story with a laugh. That's Hollywood for you. People are flighty. Even the guys who offer you Pepto Bismol at 3 a.m. might vanish when it's time to actually hang out.
Why We Need This Duo Back
Honestly? The industry is missing this specific brand of comedy.
Right now, Zac Efron is doing heavy, prestige drama like The Iron Claw. He’s getting incredible reviews for it, and he deserves them. He’s a phenomenal actor. But there’s a specific "dumb fun" energy that only happens when he’s paired with someone like Adam.
- The Contrast: Zac plays the straight man who occasionally loses his mind.
- The Energy: Adam is the spark plug.
- The Improv: Much of their best work in Mike and Dave was unscripted riffing.
Critics weren't always kind to their collaborations. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates sits at a 38% on Rotten Tomatoes. But audiences felt differently. It’s one of those movies that found a second life on streaming because it’s easy to watch and genuinely funny.
The "Stangle" Text Chain
Despite the ghosting story, there is a glimmer of hope. Adam mentioned that there is still a text chain between the four leads—him, Zac, Anna Kendrick, and Aubrey Plaza. They still share stories when they run into fans of the movie. So, they aren't enemies. They're just "industry friends."
What’s Next for Zac and Adam?
As of early 2026, there are no official projects in the works for the two of them. Zac is busy with a mix of travel documentaries and high-end film roles. Adam is leaning back into his comedy roots and enjoying life as a new dad.
If you’re looking to scratch that itch, there are a few things you can do to see more of this dynamic.
First, go back and watch the "Never Have I Ever" segments they did for MTV during the movie's press run. It's almost funnier than the movie itself. You can see the genuine rhythm they have.
Second, check out Adam Devine's recent podcast appearances. He’s incredibly open about his health struggles—including a horrific childhood accident that nearly cost him his legs—and how those experiences shaped his comedy. It gives you a lot of respect for the guy who usually plays the "loud brother."
Finally, if you’re a fan of Zac Efron and Adam Devine, keep an eye on their social media interactions. Even if Zac is a "ghost" when it comes to beach house visits, the mutual respect is clearly still there. Hollywood thrives on nostalgia. Give it another year or two, and a "10-year reunion" project doesn't seem that far-fetched.
To really dive into the "Mike and Dave" lore, look up the original Craigslist ad from the Stangle brothers. It's a masterclass in 2010s internet humor and shows you exactly why a studio thought this was worth a multi-million dollar movie. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best comedy comes from two guys just being dudes.
