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Lionsgate is remaking Dirty Dancing, based on the 1987 Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze film of the same name.
The studio said it is also in talks with Eleanor Bergstein, the writer and co-producer of the original film, and is keen to bring her on board in a producing capacity.
Ortega said the chance to direct the film “was like returning home”.
“Growing up in the '60s on the dance floor helped define me as a person and as an artist,” he added.
“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."
Actress Jennifer Grey, who played Baby in the original, also backed the project via Twitter.
“I love @Kennyortega and trust that he will do something special #DirtyDancingRemake,” she tweeted, adding via her publicist, “I’m so excited about this news and I think there’s nobody better to do this than my beloved Kenny Ortega who is as responsible as anyone for the success of the first one. I can’t wait to see what he’s going to do with it.”
