'Footloose' director Kenny Ortega has dropped out of the project over differences with Paramount Pictures. Photo Credit: Splash NewsOctober 26, 2009, (Splash News) - Footloose director Kenny Ortega has dropped out of the project over differences with Paramount Pictures.
The High School Musical director and Paramount reportedly have different opinions over the tone and budget of the flick, which will see Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford take on the lead role of Ren.
This latest move comes just before the release of Ortega's concert film This Is It, which features footage of Michael Jackson rehearsing for his London shows.
Paramount will now start looking for a new director, according to reports, to keep it in line for a production start in March.
It is claimed Ortega wanted to make the movie with a number of musical numbers with a budget of $30 million, according to Variety.
However, production chief Adam Goodman wanted an edgier drama with less emphasis on musical numbers and to keep the budget at $25 million or less.
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