Foot Falls

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.