It looks like Kenny Wormald has been cast as the lead in Paramount's "Footloose" remake, an individual with knowledge of the casting process has told TheWrap.
Wormald is an actor and choreographer who is best known for starring in "Center Stage: Turn It Up."
The 25-year-old from Stoughton, Mass., began dancing at the age of 6 after his mother saw him dancing to a New Kids on the Block video. That prompted her to enroll him in dance lessons.
Since then, he has been featured as a dancer in music videos with Madonna, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Chris Brown, Nelly Furtado and Prince, as well as the "MTV Video Music Awards'" Michael Jackson tribute alongside Janet Jackson.
He has toured with Justin Timberlake and the Pussycat Dolls, and dated the Dolls' Ashley Roberts for three years.
Wormald also has appeared on MTV's "Dancelife" and in a 2002 episode of "The Drew Carey Show." He's also been seen on the big screen as a dancer in "You Got Served," "Clerks II" and "Jackass Number Two."
Interestingly, he deleted his Twitter account (@kennywormald) Monday, much to his fans' dismay. It was probably a good move, as the diehard Celtics fan did not have kind words for Hollywood's hometown Los Angeles Lakers and their celebrity ambassador Jack Nicholson.
"High School Musical" star Zac Efron originally was set to star in "Footloose" before he decided to steer his career away from musicals. He was replaced by "Gossip Girl" star Chace Crawford, who dropped out in April, while Thomas Dekker was the latest young actor rumored to be the front-runner for the coveted role.
Craig Brewer ("Hustle & Flow") directs from a script he wrote based on Dean Pitchford's original 1984 script. Julianne Hough, Dennis Quaid and Miles Teller co-star.
Paramount is aiming for an April 1, 2011, release.
