Dancing with the Stars' Derek Hough Eyes Footloose Film

Dancing with the Stars pro Derek Hough has been in contact with the production team of the forthcoming feature film remake of Footloose, according to E! News. Hough starred as Ren McCormack in the London stage production of the musical in 2006 after having made his West End debut in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Click here to read Broadway.com’s Fresh Face profile of Hough, written before he gained fame on the hit ABC dance competition.

"I haven't auditioned, but I've met with the people," Hough told E! News regarding Footloose. High School Musical and Hairspray star Zac Efron had been announced to play the Kevin Bacon role onscreen but withdrew from the film, saying he didn’t want to overload his career with musicals. Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford has recently been mentioned as a leading contender to play Ren. "Footloose is definitely really close to me," Hough said. "I would love to be a part of something like that."

E! News adds that Hough may be in competition with his sister for a leading role in the film: Dancing with the Stars pro and fledgling country singer Julianne Hough is a leading candidate to play Ren's love interest, which would presumably take her sibling out of the running.

The Houghs have been eliminated from the current season of Dancing with the Stars. Julianne’s partner was her real-life boyfriend, country singer Chuck Wicks, and Derek made an unexpected exit from the show on May 6 with his partner, rapper Lil’ Kim.