Kenny Ortega has stepped away from directing the upcoming "Footloose" remake reports Variety.Ortega left the project due creative differences over tone and budget - he wanted a $30 million musical with elaborate stage numbers, they want a sub-$25 million edgy drama with less emphasis on the songs.
Ortega and his "High School Musical" stud Zac Efron were originally teamed on the project until Efron suddenly departed the film a few months ago.
He was later replaced by Chace Crawford who remains attached. Country singer Julianne Hough still has the lead female role.
The studio is racing to find a new director to keep the film on schedule to shoot in March during Crawford's hiatus from his TV series commitment to Gossip Girl.
Ortega's exit is not a surprise--I actually expected it to happen sooner.
Maybe the suits heard Crawford sing and decided a straight drama was a better way to go--saving moolah in the process.
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