14 DAY TRIAL // The original 1987 “Dirty Dancing,” starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, continues to be one of the most beloved classic films. However, not the same can be said about the sequel, “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights,” which bombed at the box-office and was trashed by critics and fans. Lionsgate is willing to give the franchise another go with a remake, Production Weekly announced on Twitter.
“Lionsgate is developing a remake of the 1987 classic ‘Dirty Dancing,’ from a new script by Julia Dahl.” reads the official announcement. No further details are provided, but moviegoers must know that Dahl also acted as a writer on “Uptown Girls” and as writer / story editor on “West Wing.” Be that as it may, and even taking into account that a good cast and director are assigned to the project, fans are not happy.
The reasons behind choosing to do a remake after “Dirty Dancing” are obvious, SlashFilm points out and, sadly, they do not go beyond purely financial considerations. The original film was an instant hit, an underdog with a budget of just $6 million that went on to make about $214 million internationally. However, if this is the premise Lionsgate is acting upon, then perhaps it should look at how “Havana Nights” performed as well: with a budget of $25 million, it grossed only $28. By all accounts, a $3 million profit makes a movie a major flop.
“The idea that the sequel was just shamelessly cashing in on the name of the original likely kept people away, so what’s to stop that happening with the remake? Lionsgate is likely banking on the fact that the stage version is doing very good business in several cities. But it’s easier to look at a stage adaptation as its own thing, and as an event, rather than as a weird and crass cash-in. […] The original launched Patrick Swayze as a star, and when casting the remake the inevitable impulse is going to be to find someone who could be a breakout figure like that, rather than just casting appropriately for the part.” SlashFilm writes, when judging the pros and cons for the upcoming remake.
As far as most fans are concerned, a new “Dirty Dancing” comes mostly with cons. Still, whether they like it or not, it is happening nonetheless. Keep an eye on this space for updates on this one.