Chace Crawford Bows Out of 'Footloose' Remake

According to Entertainment Weekly, Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford has officially backed out of the upcoming remake of Footloose. Entertainment Weekly reports that Paramount is now planning on casting an unknown to take on the role Kevin Bacon made famous in the iconic 1984 film. Hairspray star Zac Efron was originally cast in the role before Crawford replaced him.  It was widely believed that Crawford was tapped in order to avoid typecasting in the role.

EW.com states that the reason for Crawford's departure from the project is unknown although there was likely conflict with Gossip Girl's shooting schedule. They write: "The frothy CW show is scheduled to resume production in July, but Paramount is hoping to get Footloose into production sometime this summer, and Crawford can't do both at once."

This recent development in Footloose's reincarnation comes after previously announced director Kenny Ortega dropped out of the project due to alleged exhaustion "from his frenetic work on the Michael Jackson concert film This is It."

Despite departures from both Crawford and Ortega, Dancing With the Stars veteran Julianne Hough is still set to play the lead female role in the movie, a part which was originated by Lori Singer.

To read the complete Entertainment Weekly article and for more information about Footloose, click here.