ABC is continuing the trend of re-making classic films with a new TV event version of DIRTY DANCING. Unlike previously made TV musicals such as The Wiz, Peter Pan, and the upcoming Grease, ABC’s project will be filmed not live.
Casting has been searching for some time for the film’s leads and have attached Abigail Breslin in the role of “Baby,” previously played by Jennifer Grey. No word yet on who will take over Patrick Swayze’s role. The flick will be a re-imagining of the 80’s movie following a wide-eyed ingenue, Baby, whose world is opened when she falls for a dance instructor at a 1960’s summer resort in the Catskill Mountains. Jessica Sharzer is adapting the script and Wayne Blair is set to direct.
The flick will be executive produce by Allison Shearmur through her Allison Shearmur Productions, and original screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein. Adam Anders and Judy Cairo are producing. Hit musical Hamilton‘s Andy Blankenbuehler will choreograph with music by Anders and Peer Astrom. Stephen Altman will be the production designer.
The original Dirty Dancing premiered in 1987 and became a worldwide phenomenon grossing $214 million. It was later adapted into a stage musical, Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage in 2004. At the same time, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights was produced starring Romola Garai and Diego Luna.
Breslin can currently be seen on Fox’s Scream Queens and was most recently on the big screen in Maggie and The Final Girl.
She is repped by CAA and Envision Entertainment. Sharzer is repped at CAA. Blair is repped by UTA. Anders is repped by WME.
Emily J | Staff Writer
