On tour for the release of the new “Footloose” film, actors Kenny Wormald and Julianne Hough visited the Tempe campus on Tuesday.
The Film and Media Studies Program in the Department of English hosted the stars of the new “Footloose” film for the campus visit at the John W. Schwada Building.
During the visit, the stars of the film gave advice on how performing aspirants should prepare themselves for the movie business and how to be successful in the industry.
"It wasn't just handed to them, they had to work for it," theater freshman Justine Constantino said after hearing Wormald and Hough speak.
Originally starring Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer, Footloose is the story of Boston city kid Ren McCormack, played by Wormald, who moves to a small Southern town where dancing and suggestive music have been banned. Through his adventurous and rebellious nature, he revives the cautious populace.
Actress Hough, who plays Ariel, the wild-child preacher’s daughter, found she could identify with her character in many ways.
“I grew up in that kind of town,” she said. “Certain conversations that I’ve had with my dad were totally the same. The whole ‘I don’t want you to be disappointed in me anymore.’ That was so real. And I actually watched the movie with my dad, and I remember looking over at him while I was doing that scene and it was very emotional.”
The story of the energetic and persistent rebel who shakes up the conservative small town has been an inspiring success, but it isn’t positive that the will be able to fill the shoes of the iconic original.
Director Craig Brewer, the self-proclaimed “biggest fan” of the original “Footloose,” placed great importance on staying true to the first film, though he also made modern additions.
For instance, Brewer’s “Footloose” includes different dynamics within the characters’ families that were not in the original, which, Wormald said, adds guts and dimension to Ren’s character.
“I think Craig is very smart for making those decisions,” Wormald said.
Hough agreed with her co-star about the revisions.
“The biggest thing for Ariel’s character that Craig changed was that he really made (her) have such a deeper conflict,” she said. “I think in this version you sympathize with her a little more. She’s struggling … She’s trying to do whatever she can to get (her father) to see her.”
Though there is a lot of fervor for the film, there is also anticipation that audiences will not be accepting of the newer version.
Wormald acknowledged that people are going to judge it right away.
“When I first heard they were making a remake, I thought, ‘Good luck with that.’ … You guys are gonna get some backlash,” he said.
However, Wormald believes in Brewer’s vision for the movie.
“(It) made it true to the original. This (movie) was in the right hands,” he said.
Biochemistry junior Amanda Andrei attended the screening at Tempe Marketplace Monday.
“Despite finding some elements to be incredulous, like the level of dancing Bomont's youth after a supposed three year ban on dancing, I thought it was a sweet and wholesome movie that was surprisingly funny and genuinely enjoyable,” Andrei said. “Miles Teller, who plays the sidekick-like new friend to Ren, was very, very funny. Most of the humor of the movie came from him, and it didn't come off as cheesy or forced.”
Hough trusts that people will see the heart from the original.
“I really hope people embrace (the new cast),” she said.
Viewing the movie with an open mind may be important for this type of remake.
“(The movie) is really relevant, and there’s a lot that people won’t expect to see,” Wormald said. “They’re going to watch this, and if they pay attention, (they will) get a lot out of it.”
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