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EXCLUSIVE: After testing more than 1,000 males for the lead role of Ren McCormack in the remake of Footloose, Paramount Pictures is setting Kenny Wormald, a 25-year old trained dancer, from Boston, to star in a film that begins production almost immediately. I’m hearing he will star alongside Julianne Hough, and that Dennis Quaid will play Reverend Shaw Moore, the heroine’s strict father who’s trying to uphold a town ban on dancing. Craig Brewer is directing a script that he wrote based on the 1984 original Dean Pitchford script. Wormald previously starred in the little-seen film Center Stage. He and Hough are real dancers, and the plan is to take full advantage.
This completes a lot of movement on a property that seems such a strong candidate for an update.The project began with plans for Kenny Ortega to direct his High School Musical star Zac Efron. Then Efron wanted to distance himself from dance fare, and the studio focused on Gossip Girls hunk Chace Crawford. A search for the right heroine led to Julianne Hough from Dancing with the Stars, who was set into a holding deal and then spent months going off and honing acting skills that left the studio greatly impressed. Right as his Michael Jackson documentary This is It! became a hit, Ortega had creative differences with the studio. He left, and Paramount set Craig Brewer, best known for Hustle and Flow. Even he was touch and go, as he had to decide between Footloose and Mother Truckers, a New Regency action comedy he wrote, based on a true story about a guy who breaks out of jail and heads cross country in a stolen semi to see his ailing mother before she dies.
Paramount will release the film April 1, 2011, I’m hearing. The film is being produced by Brad Weston, Dylan Sellers, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.
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Worst decision paramount could make. Now…NO ONE is going to see this movie. Sad.
Keep in mind, the original was cast with a then unknown KEVIN BACON, yet it seemed to do just fine.
Dance-based films haven’t needed “star” power to perform since Fred Astaire did his final step ball change into the dirt.
Kevin Bacon had been in “Animal House” and “Diner” by the time he made “Footloose.” He’d also done a number of other movies, TV shows, and some theater. He wasn’t a star name, but he was hardly an “unknown.”
Nobody in the general populace had any idea who this guy was, let alone would buy a ticket based on him as the star of a movie.
That is the definition of unknown for purposes of opening a movie or not, which is the context of this discussion.
Times have changed. Back in its day, Footloose was a new idea – about a town that outlawed dancing. Now, it’s just a pathetic remake.
With all the TV shows that focus on dancing, I truly doubt that anyone would pay money to see this film especially with an unknown male lead. Plus the original is still a classic.
My guess is that you rep one of the 999 males they did not cast. Give the kid a chance.
Now all we need is the Dirty Dancing remake
Came out a few years ago, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. Terrible pile of garbage.
Everybody deserves a break…how ev. Julianne Hough could walk off with the movie ’cause she’s hot, can really dance and choreograph like her brother Derek. This guy is no Zac and no Chace…but remember…Kevin Bacon did not work the tough dance sequences in “Footloose” either. He had a double, who also appeared in “Grease” and numerous music videos of the eighties. If this new ‘discovery’ can really move AND ACT, he might have a chance of becoming more than a featured article in People magazine.
Footloose, the A-Team, Karate Kid…
Is this town totally against any original ideas or is it actually 1984?
I totally agree! With all that this changing world has to offer, no one can come up with any sense of originality for this day and time. How truly sad. However, I wish the young man all the success.
Broadway tried the same thing — endless remakes of familiar shows people had already seen. But at least the original productions weren’t readily available from Netflix.
We’re in a recession and studios are trying to make low risk films they can profit from? I can’t believe it!
Dance movies have traditionally worked without well established leads… Step Up, Save The Last Dance, Dirty Dancing,… even Saturday Night Fever only had a second rate sitcom actor in the lead role. So casting this movie smartly is more important than having a name. I’m sure it’s a good move on Paramount’s part and the Hough siblings are massively talented.
It’s great they cast an unknown. They should do it more often instead of lazily using the same tired names. It also adds a dimension of excitement
Drew,
You’re not an actor, are you? Do you realize how many “unknown” actors and actresses there are who consistently put in the time, effort and great expense to work on their acting skills, go on countless auditions and have the chops to do this job? Though not many, there ARE actual triple threats who have worked hard to hone ALL of these skills! Yes, it’s exciting when a young “unknown” succeeds but even more exciting when they’ve worked their way there. That would make for a cool backstory and would actually help promote a film. But no one ever seems to think about that and prefers to play into the fantasy that regular people can be stars without the work. What a waste of the REAL actors’ time and effort to have auditioned for this film. I hope it flops and sends a message about hiring two leads who have NO acting experience! I realize how exciting it is for a production to “discover” an unknown but you’d have a better chance if you’d honor all of the 1,000 trained actors you passed on. It just shows how out of touch these producers are.
Producers…take risks, cast “unknowns”, but do it with the proper respect that trained actors deserve! It’s time for these fantasies perpetrated by Disney and reality shows to stop. When viewers assume it’s that easy to become a star it just serves to further erode our industry. Especially at a time when pilots are casting actors in second position and Hollywood insists on spending big money on aging stars who can no longer carry a film, hard-working “unknowns” are finding it harder than ever before to get their break. The time is ripe to salvage what you can by casting the young and talented while you still can…before they give up, go broke and quit this very difficult business.
Cast “unknowns” who have the credits and training!! We’re here, we’re ready, willing and able to help your project succeed. If you’re going to take a risk, make it a smart one. It would have made you look good too Paramount!
No wonder the INDUSTRY is loosing so much money, and going down the tubes. Where are the creative people? Whoever approved this Needs To Be Replaced! Immediately!! It is really SAD. I guess this is why they had to call a meeting last week? YOUR BUSINESS MODEL IS BROKEN, Face It!! Get Some New Blood In There Quick!
You’re right, Bobby. Your explosively insightful breakdown of the ills of this business has made me realize that there’s no way a fun, moderately budgeted dance flick that stars a good looking kid who gives the finger to an overbearing and conservative town establishment can ever possibly work. You had me at your CAPS FOR EMPHASIS. I will now fire my entire staff. Thank goodness you’re available to suit up and none of my competitors has snapped you up yet.
Paramount’s done it again! For the original 1984 FOOTLOOSE, the studio wanted Rob Lowe for the lead. The director Herbert Ross’ choice was Kevin Bacon, with whom I’d become friends while doing the publicity for MGM/UA’s “Diner” (which MGM intended to shelve until I quietly snuck the New York film critics into exhibitors’ screenings; and the critics threatened to run their rave reviews of the movie even though it had no opening date. Intimidated by the then-powerful critics, MGM begrudgingly booked “Diner” (with minimal advertising)into the crummiest Manhattan theater they could find, convinced “Diner” would bomb. Instead, it became the “sleeper” of 1982). Getting back to FOOTLOOSE, Paramount’s antipathy towards Kevin Bacon was based on their erudite judgment that “nobody would want to f–k him with a 10-foot pole” (the same reasoning the dolts had used to try and prevent James Bridges from casting Debra Winger in “Urban Cowboy”). Now, a quarter of a century–and many Paramount regimes later, the studio still appears to have its head permanently wedged up its hind quarters. Zac Efron was right to have passed on the role of Ren (typecasting) but the selection of flavor-of-the-month Chace Crawford was studio idiocy of the highest order. Paramount could also have spared themselves the ordeal of “testing over 1000 males” by going with the enormously talented and appealing actor/singer/dancer/choreographer Derek Hough, the only reason for watching TV’s “Dancing with the Stars”. Moreover, Derek had played the role of Ren in London’s West End production of FOOTLOOSE to great acclaim. Instead, the studio cast Derek’s sister, the as yet unproven Julianne, as the female lead! Come on, Paramount. Don’t make the same fatal mistake you almost made in 1984 with the original FOOTLOOSE. Put the enormously gifted Mr. Hough in the lead (he just turned 25, which was Kevin Bacon’s age when he played Ren), demote Julianne Hough from leading lady to one of the other highschool students (like Sarah Jessica Parker in the original), and get the FOOTLOOSE remake heading in the proper direction. With Derek Hough (the most gifted young dancer I’ve seen since the days of Kelly & Astaire) as Ren, the movie could be even more of a smash hit than the original (Kevin Bacon is the first to admit he couldn’t perform the more difficult steps and a stand-in was required). The way it looks now (a rush job to make the 4/1/2011 opening on, most appropriately, April Fools Day), the new and improved FOOTLOOSE looms as the latest flop-remake of an ’80s classic.
Nice rant. Except that Derek’s sister was cast as the male lead’s love interest. I know they’re both from Utah but that’s even gross – even by Utah’s standards.
I’ve seen Kenny Wormald star in the sequel to “Center Stage” and I must say that this young man is tremendously appealing. I think he’s going to really amaze people. He’s got a great look, is charismatic, has a cute Boston accent, and this kid can really burn up the dance floor. There’s several YouTube clips of him dancing and he’s just perfect for a movie like “Footloose.” I’m just glad the studio went with somebody who can really dance, rather than going with a bigger name that doesn’t know how to move.
i agree chris., get some backgroud check on Kenny Wormald and you’ll see he deserve to be the main cast for footloose., yes! try watching his few youtube and movie Center Stage (turn it up). He even won as a dancer on Dancelife MTV., pls. do consider some of his talents., try watching the movie first before telling it is not good., of course the movie will not without a good direction, production and cast., lets give it a chance.And I think the casting is good i can see the chemistry they will make., Let us be positive guys
I see blood in the agency waters already. A lead in a studio pic! Get him!!!
Is it just me, or does this Kenny Wormald guy look exactly like Kris Allen from American Idol?
I have nothing against Kenny Wormald, who is probably a fine dancer with excellent training. But the original movie was about an average kid who just liked to dance. It wasn’t even really a musical–it was more a drama with music. No one else in the movie really danced either. They were just average kids. I’m worried that they’re going too far away from the spirit of the original by turning it into a big, slick “High School Musical” type movie with professional dancers and choreographed numbers.
I’m done with Hollywood. Nothing but a bunch of unoriginal and unimaginative numbskulls running that town. Indie films here I come.
Wow. Can’t they just leave the classics alone already?! The remakes are usually flops, nothing beats an original. Just let it be!
Kenny is not unknown to some…I watched him on Dancelife and rooted for him to catch his big break. I hope this is it!
He’s not really a true “unknown” He is extremely well known in the dancing world- and ridiculously talented. Efron couldn’t possible do half of what Kenny can. I’m looking forward to it!
You are right Erin he is not really a true unknown. He starred in the movie Center Stage 2 for Laurence Mark and Sony Pictures. He was actually “discovered” by casting director Karen Meisels after scouring all the dance studios across the country. This kid had no agent and no manager at the time. I actually tried to meet with him but he had already signed with Amanda Glazer. Good for her, hope the vultures stay away from him.
Kenny is an ENORMOUSLY talented dancer and truly possesses the “it” factor. This is his big break, and he deserves it!!
I like the kid already. My worries? Craig Brewer as writer/director. Really? Diss his films all you want, but wouldn’t somebody like Adam Shankman have been a better choice for director? He knows dance and could put together the crowd pleasing picture Paramount wants outta this.
so, “footloose” begging to be re-made, eh?
There is no way they “tested”1000 actors, anyone who believes that is clueless. My guess is they had a young leading list all of whom passed, and read a ton of guys and tested maybe 5 or so and this kid got it. Two newbies to carry a famous remake, with a director who, shall we say, does not seem to exactly have commercial taste? Could roll big or crap out.
why did chace drop out??????????
Derek Hough? You’re kidding, He can’t act or speak clearly, something needed for a leading role on the big screen. Everything about this remake is a mistake. Just let it go.
Kenny blows Derek away on the dance floor. Check out some of his youtube videos. He’s very well known in the dance world both as a dancer and choreographer. He’s possibly one of the best out there right now!
I loved Foot Loose. I hope they keep the same music! Maybe it was not begging to be remade but it will be a good old fashioned fun movie to watch… I need a feel good movie about now!
Dance movies are cheap to do. This won’t lose money for ‘em unless they blow a huge wad on p & a.
What happened to the idea that this would be more like the broadway musical and not the movie????
someone will lose their job over this. no x factor. bad actor; just see center stage movie. sounds like a chipmunk when he acts. in other news, unemployment extensions are now available to whomever it is that’s shown the door.
they should have discovered someone they could market around. this aint it, kiddies.
Do any of you people have any clue how hard it is to even get a callback in a major film!?!? I think if you don’t know that much about the industry then you should be careful how you judge. You don’t just waltz in a casting office and book something they won’t even LOOK at you if you don’t have a professional resume and headshot AND you have to be selected to even come in and audition. You fools find something better to do. Do you truly think that Hough doesn’t have any acting experience whatsoever. Dancers act when they perform as well. I think the best decision Paramount could make was to find Double Threats for this. Amazing dancers that can act as well. You are all a bunch of haters. They say “unknown” but NONE of these people are unknown. They have all had on-camera experience and had to go through an extensive audition process to prove themselves. Get a life. I guarantee every single one of you will watch the film regardless because you have spent so much time going on to complain about it you must have been one of the ones that they “passed” on. Good luck I hope they book all the supporting actors as professional dancer/actors as well. Who wants to watch crappy dancing in a movie about dance.