After repeated false starts, it looks like Paramount's Footloose remake is finally ready to kick off its Sunday shoes. The studio has announced [via press release] the leading cast members of the upcoming musical. After a nationwide search, newcomer Kenny Wormald will play the lead role of "Ren", a young man who's trying to bring dance and rock music to a small town that's banned those demonic temptations. Zac Efron was originally set to star but dropped out; he was followed by Chace Crawford, who also later dropped out along with director Kenny Ortega. Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow) then stepped in to direct and pen a new script. Ren was played in the 1984 film by Kevin Bacon.Wormald will be joined by Julianne Hough as female lead and love-interest "Ariel", Dennis Quaid will play antagonist "Reverend Moore", and Ren's friend "Willard" will be played by Miles Teller. As we previously reported, Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow) will direct. Hit the jump to check out the press release. Footloose is slated to hit theaters on April 1, 2011.Here's the press release we received from Paramount:HOLLYWOOD, CA (June 22, 2010) â Adam Goodman, President of Paramount Pictures Film Group, announced today the completion of principle casting on writer / director Craig Brewerâs âFootlooseâ. Following an extensive worldwide search, newcomer Kenny Wormald will play the highly coveted role of âRenâ, opposite previously announced star Julianne Hough as âArielâ. Dennis Quaid also joins the cast in the role of âReverend Mooreâ, along with Miles Teller as âWillardâ.Craig Zadan, who also served as a producer on the original film, joins his longtime creative partner Neil Meron (âChicagoâ) and producers Brad Weston and Dylan Sellers (âAgent Cody Banksâ) on the remake. Oscarà winning songwriter Dean Pitchford, who wrote the screenplay and songs for the original movie, will executive produce. Brewer (âHustle And Flow,â âBlack Snake Moanâ) will shoot from a script he adapted from Pitchfordâs original.Julianne Hough will make her feature film debut in âBurlesqueâ in November, opposite Christina Aguilera and Cher, which will also coincide with the release of the two-time âDancing With the Starsâ championâs second country album. She will co-star alongside newcomer Wormald, who appeared in the MTV series âDancelifeâ, and most recently toured with Justin Timberlake. The film will mark the first major U.S. feature film role for the Boston native.Actor Dennis Quaid, known for his starring roles in countless hit movies including âG.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,â âThe Day After Tomorrow,â âTraffic,â and most notably for his Golden Globe and SAG nominated role in the acclaimed movie âFar From Heavenâ, also joins the cast. The actor most recently starred in the critically praised HBO movie âThe Special Relationshipâ.Miles Teller, who will next appear in John Cameron Mitchellâs âThe Rabbit Holeâ starring Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart, will also appear in the film.The movie will feature choreography from Jamal Sims, who recently worked with Madonna on her Sticky & Sweet Tour. Sims has choreographed countless movies and videos, and will next choreograph the Neil Patrick Harris' production of the award-winning musical Rent starring Nicole Scherzinger and Vanessa Hudgens, from August 6-8 at the Hollywood Bowl.âI saw âFootlooseâ in my hometown theater when I was 13-years-old and it rocked my world. It was a teenage rebellion movie that explored the struggles of faith and family in a small town, and it had an awesome soundtrack. I can promise âFootlooseâ fans that I will be true to the spirit of the original film. But I still gotta put my own Southern grit into it and kick it into 2011,â said Brewer. "It's going to be a blast!""When we discovered Kevin Bacon in 1984, we were both excited and gratified â and also knew the chances of ever duplicating that effort was a million to one shot. Decades later Kenny Wormald proved history could repeat itself,â said Zadan. âWe've wanted to work with Brewer ever since we saw âHustle & Flow.â His fresh and contemporary vision will bring âFootlooseâ to a whole new generation of moviegoers when the movie opens in 2011."
FOOTLOOSE Remake Cast Announced; Newcomer Kenny Wormald to Play Lead Role
Craig Brewer's "Footloose" remake will star Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Dennis Quaid, and Miles Teller. The original film starred Kevin Bacon.