Efron confirms 'Footloose' typecast fears

Rex Features

Zac Efron has confirmed speculation that he dropped out of Paramount's Footloose reboot over fears of being typecast in musical roles.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the High School Musical and Hairspray star claimed that he wants to show his diversity as an actor by trying his hand at different genres.

"I'm sure Footloose would have been a huge challenge but the actors that I love and the actors that work really hard in this industry are always shaking things up, trying new genres, acquiring new skill sets," he explained.

"That's what's always going to appeal to me - the unknown."

The project, based on the 1984 original starring Kevin Bacon, had been fast-tracked by the studio to capitalise on the worldwide success of High School Musical 3.