Chace Crawford Talks "Footloose"

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the newly cast lead of the Footloose recreation, Chace Crawford, along with director Kenny Ortega and producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, spoke about his audition and future training for the role.

Chace Crawford took over the role after Zac Efron dropped out of the project and after impressing the director and producers after a five-hour audition.

The Gossip Girl star told EW that he and Efron are friends and that there are no hard feelings between the two. "He's gotta make the best choice for his career at this point and I have to make the best for mine and luckily it worked out for both of us," Crawford said.

Zadan said that after Crawford auditioned for the role, they knew he was the lead they were looking for. "At the end of it, we all sort of looked at each other and said, 'He's the guy!'" he said. Crawford admits he felt confident after his audition.

Shooting for the film is set to begin in March 2010, and already Crawford can expect intense preparation for the role. According to the Daily Dish, Ortega told Us magazine that Crawford will go through music and dancing lessons to prepare for the role.

"He really sizzles. He has musicality. We need to work with him on music and dance. There are some big shoes to fill. But he has it in him," Ortega said.

Crawford admitted to EW that he needs "to start stretching now."

"I've got some movement in me, but I'm not a dancer," he said, mentioning that the gymnastics scene in the warehouse might not happen.

The film will keep the original concept and be set in a dance-free town and include the title track. EW reports that people can expect cameos from the original cast and that there will be a lot more singing, especially for the leading lady. Dancing with the Stars' Julianne Hough is testing for the role.