News

Zac Efron Loses Footloose

Zac Efron has dropped out of the Paramount remake of Footloose. The film was slated to begin shooting this spring, with a 2010 release date being eyed. It's rumored that the Disney star wants to take on a different variety of roles and not focus on musicals at this point. His resume is stocked with projects in the same vein as 2008's Hairspray and High School Musical 3: Senior Year.

Rumor has it that Efron had script approval in his contract for Footloose and used a loophole to get out of it. Paramount is moving forward with the production, which it hopes to keep on its 2010 release schedule. The studio is seeking out an actor to replace Efron in the lead role.

Efron is also set to star in the film adaptation of the novel The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud, which would find the young star reteaming with his 17 Again director Burr Steers. The story is about a cemetery caretaker who has weekly meetings with his younger brother, who died accidentally. The caretaker blames himself for the death. Production is scheduled to begin in July.

17 Again his theaters next month.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
03.25.09