Everybody Cut Loose: Chace Crawford to star in Footloose Sequel

Can the new Footloose give the '80s edition a run for its money?

With one of show biz's hottest guys at the helm, it's definitely possible.

Paramount Pictures has announced that Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford will play Ren McCormack, the starring role that Kevin Bacon danced his way through in 1984.  Crawford contemporary Zac Efron was originally slated for the lead but turned it down, telling EW.com that he didn't want to break out his Sunday shoes for fear that he was becoming the teen musical go-to hombre.  Efron will instead tackle a more somber role as a cemetary caretaker in The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud, with 17 Again director Burt Steers, releasing in 2010.

Now that the leading man is locked, which Hollywood honey will play Ariel Moore, the character originally interpreted by Lori Singer?  According to the MTV Movies blog, rumors of Heroes' Hayden Panettiere and musical movie vets Amanda Bynes and Miley Cyrus are abuzz.

The remake will be directed by HSM's Kenny Ortega.

Tags amanda bynes, ariel moore, Chace Crawford, footloose, hayden panettiere, kevin bacon, Miley Cyrus, Zac Efron