Dirty Dancing to get television remake

Classic 1987 film to be adapted by US network ABC, with Abigail Breslin to play role of Baby Houseman and Wayne Blair of The Sapphires to direct

Classic 1987 film Dirty Dancing will be remade for television, courtesy of US network ABC.

Oscar-nominated Abigail Breslin, who rose to fame in 2006 film Little Miss Sunshine, will play Baby Houseman.

ABC announced plans for the three-hour adaptation, with the 19-year-old confirmed in the role originally played by Jennifer Grey. No other cast members have been revealed but Wayne Blair, the Australian director behind the 2012 film,The Sapphires, will direct.

The news has sparked speculation as to who will portray dance instructor Johnny, the part that catapulted the late Patrick Swayze to stardom.

The network also did not state when its Dirty Dancing remake will be broadcast.

Set in the summer of 1963, Dirty Dancing is a love story revolving around 17-year-old Baby and Johnny, the man who teaches her how to dance.

Eleanor Bergstein, who wrote the screenplay for the original movie, is on board for the new small screen incarnation.

She was also behind the successful 2004 musical, Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage.

A prequel called Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights was released in that same year, with British actress Romola Garai.

ABC’s Dirty Dancing is the latest musical adaptation planned for television. Recent US productions have included The Sound of Music Live! and Peter Pan Live!, which starred Girls actress Allison Williams.

Source: theguardian.com