Zac Efron Exits 'FOOTLOOSE' Remake

Hollywood news website The Wrap has reported that teen-throb and star of Disney's first three "High School Musical" films, Zac Efron has dropped out of Paramount's planned remake of "Footloose," in what seems an apparent effort to push his career beyond fame as just a cute song-and-dance man.

Efron told the studio last week that he did not want to do another musical at this point in his career, according to a senior member of the production team who spoke with The Wrap.

Paramount commented, in a statement to The Wrap that, "Footloose is a project we've longed to see re-booted for a new generation. While Zac is no longer attached, we remain excited and committed to the collective brain trust of Kenny Ortega, Neil Meron and Craig Zaden, who will reinvigorate the franchise. Their fresh take on the film will undoubtedly be filled with the same kind of breakout performances that we've come to expect from them."

To read the full article at TheWrap.com click here.

Efron was to play Kevin Bacon's original role of Ren McCormack, "the rebellious newcomer in a town where dancing has been banned."

The new film Footloose will be expanded into a "full-blown movie musical" from the earlier film with songs. Footloose also starred Lori Singer and John Lithgow. It was originally written by Dean Pitchford and directed by Herbert Ross. A Broadway musical version of Footloose was previously staged in 1998.

Efron's other credits include "The Replacements," "Heist," "Summerland", "High School Musical 2" and "High School Musical 3."

The Hairspray film, co-starring John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Queen Latifah and more was released on July 20th, 2007.

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Sarah DeBoer/Retna Ltd.

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