Looks like all those acrobatics lessons were for nothing. Not only did Chace Crawford lose the role of Captain America to Chris Evans, now the Gossip Girl star is walking away from the upcoming adaptation of Footloose after almost a year of pre-production. Initially set to star Zac Efron, the remake has been plagued by numerous problems, including the departure of its original director, Kenny Ortega of This Is It fame. While no official reason was given, it looks like Crawford’s Gossip Girl obligations—which the film’s missed March start date was meant to dance around—was likely the cause for his departure (Julianne Hough is still set to play the female foil).
Entertainment Weekly says the studio is considering a nationwide talent search to find a new star, and with two stylish young stars already passing on the material, it’s not surprising they’d look elsewhere for Plan C. But with no director yet announced as a replacement for Ortega (Hustle & Flow director Craig Brewer wrote the latest draft of the script, but is unavailable to shoot), this is looking less like the new Hairspray and more like the new Fame (if you’ve already forgot that was remade, we totally understand).