Kenny Ortega Drops Footloose

Published on October 26, 2009 by Craig Sharp · View Comments

In another blow for Paramount’s troubled musical remake, “High School Musical” and Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” director, Kenny Ortega, has left the Footloose production citing differences in “tone and budget”.

Footloose, the remake of the classic 1984 musical starring Kevin Bacon, has been touch and go since it was announced last year. Originally the project was to star Hollywood heartthrob Zac Efron, however the film lost it’s leading man when Efron dropped out in order to move away from his musical career path and pursue other avenues.

Ortega’s departure comes just days before his latest film, the Michael Jackson tribute THIS IT IS gets it’s limited theatrical release. Film hits theatres on Wednesday. Paramount is now searching for a new director to take on the project which is set to begin shooting in March. The film now stars Chase Crawford and Julianne Hough. Variety have more:

“Footloose” is a remake of the 1984 drama about a city kid (a star-making turn for Kevin Bacon) who moves to a conservative town and rebels against its no-dance law. Insiders said Ortega wanted to make a picture with elaborately staged musical numbers at a budget of $30 million or so. Par production chief Adam Goodman wanted an edgier drama with less emphasis on the musical numbers and a budget around $25 million or less.

The disagreement continued until Ortega decided his dance with the studio had ended.

After choreographing “Dirty Dancing” and directing three “High School Musical” films, Ortega should have the biggest opener of his career when “This Is It” is unveiled.

I think Paramount’s decision to move away from the musical aspect of the film will have been the final nail in the coffin for Ortega. Given his expertise in musical choreography, a film without that quality will have been less than appealing.

Over to you now, who do you think could step up to direct Footloose?

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