Chace Crawford Signs On To Star In The Remake Of ‘Footloose’
After much speculation that Zac Efron would be chosen as the lead in the remake of the classic (and totally fabulous) 80’s film Footloose (about a big city boy who is forced to live in a small town that outlaws dancing and who ends up teaching those small town folks that dancing is A-OK all while romancing the preacher’s wild child daughter) it has just been announced that Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford has been cast as the film’s lead. Apparently, Zac is trying to move away from “musicals” and passed on the film, leaving the door wide open for Chace to snag the role (and our hearts). In celebration of this news, Pink reader Ethan created a fun poster which I’ll post here along with the full text of the press release issued by Paramount Pictures:
Paramount Pictures announced today that Chace Crawford will play the lead role of Ren McCormack in the film “Footloose,” which will be produced and directed by Kenny Ortega. Over the course of his 30-year career, Emmy Award-winning director and choreographer Ortega has worked with superstars Madonna, Michael Jackson, Kiss, Cher, and Diana Ross. He choreographed the classic “Dirty Dancing” and, most recently, directed all three “High School Musical” films. The hugely successful trilogy has broken numerous records including “High School Musical 3: Senior Year’s” record opening for a song-and-dance film grossing $42 million in its first weekend. The film will be produced by the highly successful team of Craig Zadan (a producer of the original “Footloose” in 1984) and Neil Meron. Together, Zadan and Meron produced the blockbuster “Hairspray” and the critically acclaimed “Chicago,” which was the first musical in 34 years to win the top honor of Best Picture Oscar at the 2002 Academy Awards. The film will also be produced by Dylan Sellers (“Agent Cody Banks”). Academy Award-nominated Susannah Grant (“Erin Brockovich”) wrote the recently green-lit screenplay. Crawford is best known to audiences worldwide for his role on the hit series “Gossip Girl.” He is currently starring in Joel Schumacher’s drama “Twelve” along with Emma Roberts and 50 Cent. Crawford is repped by Eric Podwall and CAA. Production on the movie is set to begin shooting in March 2010.
OMG … I LOOOOOOOVE Footloose!! Altho I am not a big fan of “remakes”, I think that sometimes they can be successful. I understand that ABC will be airing a remake of the fantastic 80’s sci-fi TV series V this Fall (more on that later) and now Footloose … I think both of these remakes can be really great. Now we need to find out who will play the wild child preacher’s daughter. I’ve heard that Hayden Panettiere has been considered but someone also mentioned Miley Cyrus’s name (which I’m not too keen on). This movie is so rich with fun scenes, I can’t wait to see how it all comes together. They better keep the big dancing in the barn scene … and they better make sure all those acrobatic dance moves are kept intact — even if it means they have to cast a body double (just like they did for Kevin Bacon in the original). I am sooooo excited about this. Any Footloose fans out there? What do y’all think?
[Photo credit: Ethan Says]
Tags: 'Footloose', Chace Crawford
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May 20th, 2009 at 7:54 am
No thank you.
May 20th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Ugh.
Shawn Johnson (gymnast) from DWTS would be great.
May 20th, 2009 at 8:02 am
@Jadedkitten — really? I know, some people hate all remake ideas but I think it would be fun to see this story retold in a new way. Sure it can be bad but maybe it’ll be bad in a cheesy way?
May 20th, 2009 at 8:09 am
I agree with Jadedkitten. I loved the original and i have zero desire to see this remade.
May 20th, 2009 at 8:24 am
I LOVE LOVE Footloose! I just watched it for the 100th time on HBO the other day. I do think this is a horrible idea thou. 1st) there is no way to remake the awesomeness of the orginal. The cast had so much chemistry it just won’t happen in the remake. 2nd) Chace??? WTF…NO and if Miley or Hayden are in then it is worse off. I don’t care to see the remake which will in some way tarnish the orginal!
May 20th, 2009 at 8:26 am
yes Trent really I want one thing from my childhood that I love to remain untouched and ruined by the lazy assholes in Hollywood who can’t come up with anything original. One thing just one.
May 20th, 2009 at 8:34 am
THIS IS NOT A REMAKE!!! This is a movie version of the stage musical, which is not the same as the movie exactly. They are not — I REPEAT NOT REMAKING THE KEVIN BACON/LORI SINGER MOVIE. So if you liked the stage musical, that is what you will be seeing on the screen this time.
May 20th, 2009 at 8:34 am
@Jadedkitten — I totally feel you on that but in my opinion, remakes don’t negate the original. if anything, they remind people how great the real thing is … especially after so many years when folks might’ve forgotten or taken for granted. Honestly, I haven’t watched the movie in a few years but now I’m all excited about getting home to watch it again :)
May 20th, 2009 at 8:40 am
I heard the Julianne Hough was being considered for a role in the movie. I think she would do a much better job then Miley Cyrus or Hayden Panettiere! Plus, everyone already knows that she can dance, and sing already. I mainly just hope they don’t cast Miley Cyrus in the movie, that woul just ruin it!
May 20th, 2009 at 8:47 am
@Trent, I’m 100% with you. I’m psyched to see it again, with better quality (and hopefully no distractingly bad hairstyles). I just hope the romance is believable – the original pair were totally cute :)
May 20th, 2009 at 8:48 am
I think it will be interesting with Chace as the lead…but if Miley Cyrus gets it, it would just be ruined and I think she would be terrible at it! Hopefully, they can find a good girl lead that will have good chemistry with him…but if it’s Miley, I will not be seeing it.
May 20th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Can’t wait!! I know it won’t be able to touch the magic of the first one- but I am ready to see it try. Not too in love with the idea of Miley teething up the remake. But, with the right leads, this could be good. Afterall, I loved the Hairspray remake. The original and the remake were two different beasts with the same characters we have grown to love. Can’t wait to see who they cast as Leonard! Ooooh! What songs will they do for the soundtrack? Anyone seen Kenny Loggins or Bonnie Tyler? Okay, I need to stop- I am completely nerding out now. :)
May 20th, 2009 at 9:22 am
I’m sorry – I love me some Nate, but Chace just canNOT act at all. I really don’t think he has what it takes to carry this movie. Zac would have been a better choice – or better yet, neither. Would have been a great chance to include some up and coming new talent.
May 20th, 2009 at 9:49 am
No thanks!!!
Chace is hot but it’s kinda weird to see him dancing and singing on the big screen. He loses some of his mystery that way. Dunno…. It’s just…. ummm, awkward!
THEY SHOULD GET ADAM LAMBERT!!
HELLOOOOOO!
May 20th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Footloose without the nasty hairstyles? Hahaha that would be awesome. But I really hope they don’t cast Miley.
May 20th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Wow, those are some high-waisted jeans Kevin was wearing in that old poster! Did we really dress like that back then?! ;)
May 20th, 2009 at 10:00 am
again…NOT A REMAKE!!! IT’S THE MOVIE VERSION OF THE STAGE MUSICAL.
May 20th, 2009 at 10:27 am
@wendell — well, technically. but the musical is a remake of the original movie. just like the newest Hairspray movie was based on the musical that was based on the original movie.
May 20th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Now that I know its based on the musical I’m super excited. Didn’t really like the original movie taht much but I love the musical, I saw it like 9 years ago on Broadway and still listen to the soundtrack regularly.
May 20th, 2009 at 11:53 am
believe it or not, this post had me inspired to rewatch Footloose. man i absolutely love that movie. i still don’t think Chace can carry out all those fancy foot works. i could only see Zac Efron. maybe Zac should just accept his destiny in musicals.
May 20th, 2009 at 11:59 am
@Kayla — “Didn’t really like the original movie that much” … BLASPHEMY!!! ;)
May 20th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
i actually saw footloose on broadway in the summer of 99 and it was cute. they varied a bit from the original but i think it could be good. what’s kinda funny is in meeting the cast of the broadway show i totally crushed out on this kid and took a million pictures of/with him even though he was only in the chorus and he is now playing the teacher on glee. fun! i’m totally going to dig those out in case glee blows up haha.
May 20th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Sorry, I didn’t much like the original movie either. Love Kevin Bacon but can’t stand Lori Singer….such a bad actress. Hated the character of Ariel too.
May 20th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
I loved the original and as long as they do a great job, I’m up for a remake. The thing is, I liked the idea of Zac Ephron playing Greg McCormack, and I think I like him better for the part than I do “Chace”, he’s cute but can he pull it off with just his looks? Hum…
May 20th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
I’m sorry, Zac Efron, sorry dude I mispelled ur last name hahaha.
May 20th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Go ahead and hate me for it.. but I didn’t like the original and I won’t like this either…. I don’t even like the song Footloose. This is one of those things I hoped I’d never even have to remember happened in the 80’s. Kinda like Tom Cruise’s movie, where he was dancing around in his undies…. Thankfully, I can’t even remember what that totally famous movie was called, at this moment… probably because I now have that horrid Footloose song in my head… *gross*
May 20th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
love footloose!!! so excited. also love chace. mmm.
May 21st, 2009 at 10:44 am
Is there going to be a Willard character?! He was my fave! Best song/scene combo. Lets Here it For the Boys, when Bacon teaches Penn (RIP) how to dance. Loved it!!
June 17th, 2009 at 6:34 am
I love footloose! I don’t really like remakes but I’m excited to see this movie…love chace too!