'High School Musical's' director Kenny Ortega sets himself loose from 'Footloose'

"Footloose" has become even less "High School Musical"-related than before.

Director Kenny Ortega dropped out of the project over the weekend, reports Variety.

The trade claims that insiders blame the exit creative differences between Ortega and Paramount Pictures. Appparently, Ortega, who directed and helped choreograph the wildly popular Disney "High School Musical" movies wanted to continue with the elaborate musical trend, with big staged numbers and a $30 million budget. Paramount wanted to get edgier and to spend about $5 million less.

Ortega is the second "High School Musical" person to leave "Footloose." "HSM" star Zac Efron was on board to play the Kevin Bacon role, but pulled out, leaving the door open for "Gossip Girl's" Chace Crawford to take the lead opposite "Dancing With the Stars'" Julianne Hough.

Ortega is also the director of the Michael Jackson concert film "This Is It," which premieres Wednesday, Oct. 28.

Paramount is currently searching for a new director who can start production in March, when Crawford is on hiatus from "Gossip Girl."

May we suggest someone from "Glee," Adam Shankman or Joss Whedon?

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Related:

'Gossip Girl's' Chace Crawford to play Kevin Bacon part in 'Footloose'
Zac Efron fancies himself 'Footloose'-free