Chace Crawford has landed the lead role in Footloose and it’s official! The Gossip Girl actor has previously tried out for the part of Ren McCormack, a role originally played by Kevin Bacon, after High School Musical star Zac Efron decided to drop out, reportedly saying that he wanted to take a break from musicals. Sources say that Crawford did really well during the audition but there hasn’t been any confirmation that he landed the part until now.
The film, which follows a Chicago teen rebelling against anti-dancing laws in his new town, was first made in 1984 and starred Bacon, Lori Singer, Dianne Wiest, and John Lithgow. Despite mixed critical reviews, it grossed approximately $80,000,000 in the U.S. box office and was eventually spun off into a Broadway musical in 1998.
The remake of Footloose, which is set to begin shooting in March 2010, will be produced and directed by High School Musical producer Kenny Ortega.
Crawford’s movie credits include The Haunting of Molly Hartley, Loaded, The Covenant, and Long Lost Son.
Aside from the Gossip Girl actor, other stars have also auditioned for the movie, including Heroes actress Hayden Panettiere, Amanda Bynes and Dancing with the Stars pro dancer Julianne Hough, though word on the street is that Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus is in contention for the Ariel Moore leading lady role.
Meanwhile, Crawford appears to have a busy summer ahead of him because aside from filming Footloose, he will also be working on the third season of Gossip Girl where he plays Nate Archibald, a young socialite living on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Additionally, he has also been cast in the drama film Twelve, and is rumored to appear in the movie Upstate with The O.C. actress Mischa Barton.
-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: usmagazine.com
(Image courtesy of The CW)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
