Kevin Bacon recently opened up about his experience rewatching his audition tape for the iconic film “Footloose” during a session at the Tribeca Film Festival. Reflecting on seeing his younger self on screen, Bacon expressed deep astonishment at the person he once was.
He recounted the moment vividly: “Many years ago, there was a DVD extra that came out, and on the DVD extra, they’d gone into the Paramount vault and found my screen test, and I watched it.” This viewing proved to be a profound experience for Bacon, as he saw a side of himself that felt distant yet intimately familiar.
Bacon admitted, “I was so knocked out by seeing that person. There’s something about the audition—I could really see a much younger version of me. If I look at a movie that I was in many years ago, I don’t really see a younger version of me—it’s the character that I was playing.” This introspective moment led Bacon to pause the video, retreat to the bathroom, and confront his reflection in the mirror, questioning if the person on screen was truly him. “It was very weird. It’s a real trippy experience,” Bacon added, encapsulating the surreal nature of revisiting one’s past self through film.
In “Footloose,” released in 1984, Bacon portrayed Ren McCormack, a rebellious teen who moves to a small town where dancing is banned by the local minister. Ren’s defiance against the ban and his budding romance with the minister’s daughter, Ariel, played by Lori Singer, became iconic elements of the film.
During the event, Bacon also shared anecdotes about his initial reaction to the script of “Footloose,” revealing that he underestimated the film’s emphasis on dancing. Despite his initial apprehension about dancing professionally, Bacon’s passion and determination ultimately secured him the role. Reflecting on his auditions, he humorously recalled, “I said, ‘I love to dance. I’ve been dancing since I was in high school because I like girls. So I said, you don’t need a choreographer—just turn on the music and turn on the cameras, and I’ll dance around; I have no problem doing that.’” However, the production team insisted on a professional approach to the dance sequences, setting the stage for Bacon’s memorable performance.
As “Footloose” celebrates its 40th anniversary since its release on February 17, 1984, Bacon’s reflections offer a nostalgic glimpse into his journey with the film and the enduring impact it has had on his career and personal life.
