The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that actor Chace Crawford will play Ren McCormack in the Footloose remake.
The Gossip Girl star will replace Zac Efron, who was initially chosen for the project, but finally backed out.
Crawford will star as a young rebel who is passionate about rock music and dancing, but moves to a small town where those two things are banned.
Paramount Pictures set June 18, 2010 as the film’s release date, but this date will have to be pushed back since filming won’t begin before March. Kenny Ortega (High School Musical) will be directing the project.
Crawford is currently shooting the drama Twelve with Kiefer Sutherland and Emma Roberts. The film will open next year.