It has been confirmed that director/choreographer Kenny Ortega is attached to the helming duty in the reboot of the 1987 musical film, which was starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.
- Aug 9, 2011
AceShowbiz - Lionsgate has hired Kenny Ortega, the man behind musical hit "High School Musical", to direct a big-screen remake of "Dirty Dancing". Ortega himself was a choreographer of the original 1987 movie.
"The opportunity to direct 'Dirty Dancing' is like returning home for me," Ortega said on being attached to work on the upcoming film. He added, "Growing up in the 60's on the dance floor helped define me as a person and as an artist."
The helmer of Michael Jackson's "This Is It" also revealed his plan for the remake. He said, "I am looking forward to assembling a great creative team and an exciting cast to bring 'Dirty Dancing' to the screen for a new generation."
"Patrick Swayze set the bar for men dancing the movies as Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire did before him," the director of "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour" added. "I believe everywhere you look there is evidence that the talent is out there and I can't wait to begin the process of discovering the next breakout triple-threats."
Meanwhile, Joe Drake, president of Lionsgate's Motion Picture Group, explained about the project, saying, "We believe that the timing couldn't be better to modernize this story on the big screen, and we are proud to have Kenny Ortega at the helm."
Aside from the directing duty, Ortega will also produce the film along with Debra Martin Chase. Meanwhile, Eleanor Bergstein, who penned the script and co-produced the original version, is currently in talks to join the board of producers.
The original "Dirty Dancing" was starring Swayze and Jennifer Grey. It tells a story about a teenage girl on summer vacation with her family at a Catskills resort in 1963. She fell in love with the head dance instructor and his risque moves.
