Actor Christopher Atkins has stated that his past struggles with alcohol cost him the lead role in the 1984 film "Footloose," a part that ultimately went to Kevin Bacon. Atkins, who gained fame for his role in "The Blue Lagoon," shared this account during a recent appearance at Fanboy Expo Knoxville.
According to People magazine, Atkins, now nearly 40 years sober, described himself as "a mess" and "partying it up way too much" during the period when filmmakers were considering him for the "Footloose" role. He recalled that when directors wanted to meet with him, he was unable to attend the meeting in a suitable condition. "I said… ‘I can’t go in right now. I’ve been drinking and carrying on,'" Atkins said. Despite being told they needed to see him, he went in "so messed up" that the filmmakers decided to pass on him.
Atkins also reflected on his breakout role at age 18 in "The Blue Lagoon." He admitted he had no prior acting experience and initially aspired to be a baseball player. His casting involved an unexpected turn after modeling for the Ford Modeling Agency in New York City and auditioning for the film, leading to multiple callbacks before he was ultimately cast. He noted that his life changed dramatically after the movie's release, describing the overwhelming nature of sudden fame and constant media attention.
Regarding the filming of "The Blue Lagoon," which featured him and a then-14-year-old Brooke Shields, Atkins explained the context of the naturalistic setting. He mentioned living on a boat off the Fijian island where they were filming, and that the film's director, Randall Kleiser, aimed for authenticity. Atkins described the island environment as having topless beaches due to its Australian crew and lack of tourists, contributing to a naturalistic approach to nudity in the film. He stated that the scenes were important for the film's portrayal of the characters' natural existence and not for exhibitionism.
Despite the controversy surrounding "The Blue Lagoon," which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography and grossed over $58 million worldwide, Atkins expressed no regrets about his career. He prioritized family life over chasing further Hollywood success after the film's release, focusing on providing for his children. Having appeared in over 100 movies and television shows, Atkins is now looking to produce his own film, viewing it as the last remaining goal in his career.