Paramount: Crawford to star in 'Footloose'

LOS ANGELES, May 19 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Chace Crawford has been hired to play the male lead in the movie musical remake of "Footloose," Paramount Pictures told Usmagazine.com exclusively.

"Chace Crawford will play the lead role of Ren McCormack in the film 'Footloose,'" Paramount told the magazine's Web site Tuesday.

Crawford is best known for his work on the teen TV drama "Gossip Girl," which is going into its third season.

Kevin Bacon played Ren in the original 1984, dance-themed, non-musical version of "Footloose."

Hayden Panettiere, Amanda Bynes and Julianne Hough are among the young actresses who have auditioned for roles in the remake, which is slated to start shooting next March, Usmagazine.com said.