Derek Hough Leaving Dancing with the Stars for One Season

Derek Hough is hanging up his dancing shoes — for one season. The three-time mirrorball champ is taking Season 12 off from Dancing with Stars to film a movie, his rep confirms.

"We wish Derek the best as he takes time off from Dancing with the Stars to pursue his film career," Conrad Green, the TV show's executive producer, said in a statement, "and look forward to having him return to the show in the fall."

Check out photos of Derek Hough

The 25-year-old Hough will star in Cobu 3D, scheduled to begin filming this spring. In the movie, Hough will play a New Orleans street dancer who moves to the Big Apple and falls for an Asian drummer from a rival dance group.

"People will see a much edgier side of me and these other styles of dance I'm capable of doing," Hough told People of the film.

Dancing with the Stars: Jennifer Grey "really surprised" she won

Hough has appeared on Dancing with the Stars since Season 5 and has won three times, with Brooke Burke, Nicole Scherzinger and Jennifer Grey. He is also set to guest-star on ABC's Better With You in March.

"I will be making it back to Dancing with the Stars in the fall," he said. "I'm just taking a little break and taking this chance to grow and expand a little bit as an artist."