FOOTLOOSE GETS NEW SHOES!

Rising 22-year-old actor Thomas Dekker ("A Nightmare on Elm Street," "Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles") has emerged as the top candidate to star in the new adaptation of "Footloose" for Paramount Pictures reports The Los Angeles Times.

Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer starred in the 1984 original, which told the story of a rebellious outsider who moves to a new town where music and dancing are banned and proceeds to shake everything up.

Both Zac Efron and "Gossip Girl" star Chace Crawford were previously attached to the lead role but ultimately dropped out. Craig Brewer ("Hustle and Flow") came on last month as director, replacing Kenny Ortega ("High School Musical").

Filming hopes to kick off sometime this Summer.