'Footloose' Loses Director Kenny Ortega

Director Kenny Ortega has pulled out of the Paramount Pictures flick Footloose due to tone and budget.

Variety reports Ortega wanted to make a $30 million picture with elaborately-staged musical numbers while the studio wanted an edgier $25 million drama with less emphasis on the musical numbers.

Production is still expected to start in March with Gossip Girl hunk Chace Crawford and Dancing with the Stars alum Julianne Hough.

Ortega, who choreographed Dirty Dancing and directed the High School Musical franchise, also directed the new Michael Jackson movie This is It, out this Friday (October 28).