In about as polite a manner as he could muster, teenage heartthrob Zac Efron confessed to EW.com why he said no to the Footloose remake: He didn’t want to be type-cast as the musical guy. In Las Vegas to receive the Showest Breakthrough Performer of the Year award, Efron confirmed what many in the industry had speculated. “I’m sure Footloose would have been a huge challenge,” Efron said, “but the actors that I love and the actors that work really hard in this industry are always shaking things up, trying new genres, acquiring new skill sets. That’s what’s always going to appeal to me: the unknown.” So Efron’s trading in those dancing shoes for a shovel in The Death & Life of Charlie St. Cloud at Universal. Reuniting with 17 Again director Burr Stears, Efron will play a young man who takes a job as a cemetery caretaker where his younger brother has recently been buried. He has weekly meetings with his deceased sibling and begins a romantic relationship with a young woman believed to be missing in a sailing accident. He’s not sure if she is real or an apparition.
Apr 3
2009
05:27 AM ET
Exclusive Zac Efron: Why I said no to 'Footloose'
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Zac Efron AKA Little Miss Grown-Up
well… they shouldn’t remake footloose anyway… especially with pretty boy Zac Efron… yuck
That’s almost sad in a way, even though this whole remake was a huge mistake from the start–Efron’s always had an (obviously lesser, don’t start screaming) Gene-Kelly-esque effortless song-and-dance-man vibe to him. For all the ridiculousness of the High School Musical series, Efron doesn’t get the credit he deserves for making them even watchable. “Footloose” still probably shouldn’t be made, but if it is going to be then I can’t imagine any other young actor who would have done as close to a good job as Efron would have. Who are they going to use now, Chace Crawford? They might as well save money and use a cardboard cutout.
And I’m a little leery of mocking Efron for wanting to follow a different career trajectory than expected–isn’t that, to be, you know…commended? He’s said more than once that he wants to try a Leonardo Dicaprio/Johnny Depp climb from teen idol to serious actor, and even if he can’t manage it it’s gutsy of him to take a riskier path. I wish him all the best.
Look — I’m not a fan of Footloose. As a child of the ’80s, I can honestly say the film never resonated with me, but I do remember how popular it was.
If Footloose were going to be remade utilizing the Broadway musical format (see: Hairspray), then it would make perfect financial sense to use Kenny Ortega and Troy — uh, Zac Efron. Though he’s no thespian, Efron made an impression on millions of teenage girls, though my own daughter (a huge Efron fan a few years ago) has moved on to Nick Jonas.
Efron dropping out has all but doomed Footloose, and to that I say: Meh.
I think we’ll survive without another remake — Do you hear me makers of Land of the Lost, Fame, Tr2n, The Taking of Pelham 123, et al?!?
Anytime I see someone dropping out of a project because they want to “stretch their creative legs”, it makes me shudder. This is the same mentality that gave us John Wayne as Genghis Khan.
So he gives up Footloose to do….”17 Again”??? What genius of a manager would suggest that? People like Bruce Willis, Arnold, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, etc. etc. made out quite well for themselves making the same kind of movie over and over again until they were established. And I would argue that they all have more talent than Zac Efron. Seems to me he’s not getting the best career advice.
Silly, silly man. Especially considering that most actors today are typecast anyway, whether it’s the “action guy”, or the “drama guy” or the “raunchy comedy guy”.
I suspect that a lot of this has to do with old stereotypes about what “musical guy” is usually associated with in the minds of moviegoers (Musicals are for gays! THE HORROR!) and Efron didn’t want to be that. Ironically since he sports more makeup and mascara than any girls I know, I would worry about that tarnishing my heterosexual image more than being in musical films…
He has no screen presence, charisma or talent and will be forgotten shortly. His tacky management can manipulate all they like but you cant make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
The set up story about Efron and the girl from Harry Potter made me laugh. So transparent. They try and copy Pattinson but he has all three – charisma, talent and sex appeal.
I’m proud of him. I think it is smart move on his part. And I think he really outshines his fellow screenmates. He’s got great potential.
Good for Zac. And having the opportunity to be in something “fresh”, rather than another Hollywood remake for remake’s sake is a good decision for a young career. (Just wish he’d bring along Corbin Bleu… I’m a Chad girl)
Footloose isn’t a musical….
To “Footloose isn’t a musical”
Um, this new movie is a film version of the Broadway musical “Footloose” which was adapted for the stage based on the 1980′s film (which had music and dancing, but was not a musical.) This new version is not so much a remake of the 80′s film, but rather a film version of the stage musical.
Oh yeah, and I should have added that Efron is an idiot. The success of this film would have rivaled that of his HSM franchise, as well as put him in a league of actors who are noted for their “dramatic gravitas” or “comic genius” and taken quite seriously as actors, but got their start in musicals and return to them on occaision. They include but are not limited to: Christopher Walken, Steve Martin, John Travolta, Richard Gere, Mandy Patinkin, Ewan MacGregor, Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, to name just a few. Not a bad roster to be on, eh? Nice move Zac, ya moron…I say, here today, gone tomorrow…
And I forgot probably currently the most famous ‘Musical’ alum out there. Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman!!!
I think they should STOP remaking movies first of all & footloose wasn’t a musical!
While I’ll admit I’m disappointed that he won’t be a part of the new musical Footloose movie (if it even gets off the ground without him), I’m proud that he’s realized fairly early in his career that he can shift gears now and avoid being pigeonholed into certain genres. He’s truly an amazing talent, and I’m sure he will be more than happy to return to musicals in the future. I look forward to seeing what the future has in store for him!