Disney Star Ross Lynch To Play Serial Killer Jeffrey Dahmer

Disney Channel star Ross Lynch is set to play Jeffrey Dahmer in the forthcoming independent flick My Friend Dahmer.

Ross Lynch As Jeffrey Dahmer

Lynch, who is best known for starring on Disney series Austin & Ally as well as the Teen Beach Movie and its sequel, is going to take a darker turn in his career playing Dahmer. Lynch will be taking on the part of Dahmer in his teens, before he became the infamous Milwaukee serial killer who preyed on gay men, often cannibalizing their remains.

It’s pretty uncanny how similar they look… #myfrienddahmer #rosslynch

A photo posted by Ready Set Rock (@r5_rocks_rossy) on Oct 4, 2016 at 10:52pm PDT

My Friend Dahmer is based on John “Derf” Backderf‘s 2011 graphic novel, which was inspired by Backderf’s experience going to school with the would-be killer. My Friend Dahmer is being adapted for the big screen by writer/director Marc Meyers.

EXCLUSIVE: Patrick Kennedy, Detective Who Took Jeffrey Dahmer’s Confession, Reveals New Details Of Case

“[The movie is] set in a truly weird and sinister 1970s adolescent world, Jeff tries to make new friends as his divorcing parents, teachers, and friends ignore his descent into alcoholism and madness,” Meyers explained of the film. “Jeff will later become the most depraved serial killer since Jack The Ripper. And this is the story before that story.”

Backderf is happy to see his graphic novel based on real events getting the movie treatment, provided the film doesn’t stray too far away from its source material.

“Everybody’s making movies based on comics; that’s all they make anymore. It’s such a great story. I always knew in the back of my head that somebody’s got to snatch this up,” he said. “As long as they stick to the spirit of the book. It is after all nonfiction and meticulously researched. But I’m sure they will.”