Dirty Dancing Remake Gets Go Ahead

Dirty Dancing is to be remade, Lionsgate has confirmed, with the 1987 movie's choreographer Kenny Ortega helming the project.

The classic original starred Jennifer Grey as 'Baby', who falls in love with dance instructor Johnny Castle, played by Patrick Swayze.

In a statemement Ortega said: "The opportunity to direct Dirty Dancing is like returning home for me. Growing up in the '60s on the dance floor helped define me as a person and as an artist. 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 in the movies as Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire did before him. 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."

Producer Debra Martin Chase added: "This remake of Dirty Dancing presents an exciting opportunity to both celebrate what has made this movie so beloved and refresh and enhance it so that new audiences can claim it as their own.

"I am thrilled to be working with Kenny Ortega again and with the dynamic creative team at Lionsgate."

Ortega has directed two episodes of the spin-off Dirty Dancing television series, as well as High School Musical and Michael Jackson's This Is It.

He was also lined up to direct a new version of 1980 film Footloose, but pulled out following concerns over the budget and tone of the remake.