Julianne & Chace: Footloose Dance Partners?

Sat., Jun. 20, 2009 6:30 AM PDT by Marc Malkin

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Update: Have Julianne Hough supporters been a little too enthusiastic in claiming she’s the Footloose top choice? I’m now being told that while the filmmakers certainly consider her among their favorites, they’re hoping she’ll be able to improve on her acting skills before the cameras start rolling.

Fingers crossed for ya, Julianne!

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Chace Crawford is pretty darn close to having one hot country gal by his side.

Sources tell me that Dancing With the Stars hoofer and rising country music singer Julianne Hough is finally in negotiations to star opposite People magazine's Hottest Bachelor in the upcoming remake of Footloose...

A source says talks have gotten down to the nitty-gritty issue of timing. If schedules can be worked out, the movie will mark Hough's first major film project. She actually had an uncredited role as a "Hogwarts schoolgirl" in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone back in 2001.

Paramount has announced a June 2010 release date for the remake, which will be a musical similar to the hit Broadway adaptation of the movie.

Hough's casting wouldn't come as too much of a surprise to anyone who's following the making of the new Footloose. Director Kenny Ortega gushed about her to me earlier this month at the MTV Movie Awards.

"I love her," he said. "I adore her. I'm a big fan of hers. Not only how beautiful but how deep her talent goes."

He's not kidding, folks. I've met the blond bombshell. She truly is one of the most beautiful young women I've ever encountered in Hollywood.

P.S.: Don't believe tabloid reports that Hough is engaged to fellow country crooner Chuck Wicks because she was sportin' a new diamond ring during a recent concert. Her rep insists no wedding is in the works.

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