Stars Praise Reboot of 'Footloose'
The most anticipated movie of the season, “Footloose,” has received praise from stars for retaining the original film’s vigor.
Paramount’s “the kids gotta dance” reboot of 1984’s “Footloose” is expected to earn 20 million this weekend alone, reported Reuters. Set to lead the market, the film stars former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Julianne Hough and newcomer Kenny Wormald.
The new “Footloose” pays proper homage to the original, which starred Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer. Directed by Craig Brewer, the remake has several scenes inspired by the original. The leading actors spoke with MTV News about their favorite nods to the original “Footloose” found in the reboot.
“My red boots,” said Hough of the shoes found in both the 1984 and 2011 versions of the film. Hough will play Ariel in the film, the daughter of a reverend.
Wormald, who portrayed Ren McCormack, a teenager from the city who had moved to a small town where dancing was banned, said his favorite part of the films is the Volkswagen Bug found in both.
“And the ‘angry dance,’” added the actor. “Yeah, and everything, all the nods I think were appropriate.”
This weekend’s box office will see a close race with remade film, Universal’s horror film “The Thing,” and “The Big Year” starring Jack Black, Steve Martin, and Owen Wilson.
Smaller releases include “The Skin I Live In” starring Antonio Banderas.
Paramount’s decision to remake the original version of “Footloose” caused mixed reactions from the film’s fans. Many feared that the new version would ruin, or outdo, director Herbert Ross’ 1984 version. Also, casting the new actors was a challenge, according to lead actress Hough.
“It was a long, long process,” said the actress speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, who added that she had doubts about the remake, especially after director Kenny Ortega dropped out.
According to Hough, she had doubts at first and thought, “Maybe I shouldn’t do this,” and was displeased with the script, until Craig Brewer rewrote it.
“I read the [new] script and was blown away,” said the two-time winner of “Dancing With the Stars.”
Hough promises “Footloose” fans that the reboot will not let them down, saying, “The super-fans of the original will not be disappointed ‘cause they’ll see the things that they loved and remembered.”
