Newcomer Kenny Wormald Dances His Way to Footloose Opposite Dennis Quaid

Newcomer Kenny Wormald will take on the role of Ren in the film remake of Footloose scheduled to open on April 1, 2011. Wormald will join Dennis Quaid as Reverend Moore and previously announced star Julianne Hough as Ren’s love interest, Ariel. Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan) will write and direct the film, while Jamal Sims, who is currently working on Neil Patrick Harris’ upcoming star-studded Hollywood Bowl staging of Rent, will choreograph.

Wormald is the third actor attached to the role of Ren after Zac Efron and Chace Crawford departed the project. While Wormald has appeared on MTV’s Dancelife and toured with Justin Timberlake, Footloose will mark his first major film role. Hough is best known as a country musician and dancer on TV’s Dancing With the Stars. She will make her film debut this fall opposite Cher and Christina Aguilera in Burlesque. Quaid’s many film credits include Far From Heaven, The Rookie and The Parent Trap.

Footloose follows the story of a young man who moves to conservative, religious town where his love for dancing is viewed as a threat by the locals. The original film starring Kevin Bacon opened in 1984 and became an instant hit along with its soundtrack. A 1998 Broadway musical adaptation ran for 709 performances and earned four Tony nominations.