Lead Has Been Cast for 'Footloose' Remake

TV's Chace Crawford will fill Kevin Bacon's dance shoes!

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

After "pretty boy" Zac Efron (High School Musical trilogy) turned down the lead in director-choreographer Kenny Ortega's remake of Footloose, "pretty boy" Chace Crawford (Gossip Girl) officially signed on to play the role that first made a star out of Kevin Bacon back in 1984.

The much-hyped reboot of the 25-year-old pop culture classic won't even start filming until next March, and is expected to be a darker and more mature take on the story of a young man who moves to a small town that has banned rock music and dancing.

Paramount Pictures has locked in Ortega (High School Musical trilogy) as a producer as well, alongside Hairspray's Neil Meron and his personal & professional partner Craig Zadan (The Bucket List), though no screenwriter has been announced yet.

The '84 original grossed more than $80 million domestically, still a respectable take even today, despite the inflation rate. Footloose's Oscar-nominated soundtrack was also a major success during the era, selling over 10 million copies and spawning three Top 10 hits.

As for the part of Ariel--made famous by Lori Singer in '84--Dancing with the Stars' Julianne Hough has been mentioned, as has Amanda Bynes (Hairspray) and Hayden Panettiere (Heroes).