Washington (ANI): Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford would be replacing Zac Efron in the remake of Footloose. Crawford was roped in after the High School Musical star stepped out of the movie. Paramount Pictures has announced that the 23-year-old actor will play Ren McCormack, the ebellious dancing high schooler who launched the career of a then 25-year-old Kevin Bacon.

Efron had told EW.com that he passed on the role because he didn't want to be typecast as the usical guy and was searching instead for "the unknown", reports People magazine. 'Footloose', to be directed by High School Musical's Kenny Ortega, is set to go on floors in arch next year.