The new edition of "Footloose" doesn't see the likes of Kevin Bacon, who starred in the 1984 version that involved a city boy moving to a town where rock music and, of all things, dancing have been banned. The 2011 installment, which hits theaters Friday, October 14, features the likes of Kenny Wormald, who plays the lead role of Ren McCormack, the rebellious soul Bacon made popular.
But even though the most famous breakfast-themed actor isn't actually in the new film, he's not very far away. Everybody knows the game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, and I bet you're thinking, "How in the world are the degrees separated?"
Well …
Kenny Wormald:
Wormald stars in "Footloose" 2011 with Ray McKinnon, who plays Wes Warnicker. McKinnon also appeared in "Apollo 13," where he played alongside, you guessed it, Kevin Bacon. This relationship leaves Wormald and Bacon only two degrees apart.
In 1984 the role of Ariel Moore was brilliantly played by Lori Singer. This year's version stars a professional dancer turned actress named Julianne Hough. Hough also appeared in the film "Burlesque" with Katerina Mikailenko. Mikailenko coincidentally was in the movie "Crazy, Stupid, Love" with none other than Kevin Bacon, leaving Hough only two degrees separated.
It's hard to imagine the role of Rev. Shaw Moore being portrayed by anyone else than the magnificent John Lithgow. But Quaid is a great actor as well, and Moore's character is in good hands. With the Quaid who hasn't been squatting of late in "Footloose" 2011, the two degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon comes from appearing in "In Good Company" with Colleen Camp, who appeared in "Trapped" with ... Donny Egg Omelet? Of course not -- with Kevin Bacon.
Actress Dianne Wiest played Vi Moore in "Footloose" 1984. This time around veteran actress Andie MacDowell fulfills the part. Only one degree separates McDowell and Bacon, as both actors starred in the movie "Beauty Shop" back in 2005.
Hopefully "Footloose" 2011 has the same success as its predecessor. If it doesn't, I'm sure it's not a shot against the new cast but the fact that the 1984 version had a wild card known as Kevin Bacon. As the great comedian Jim Gaffigan says, "Everything's better with bacon."
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