Guy Ferland To Direct 'Dirty Dancing' Sequel

Miramax and Artisan have tapped Guy Ferland to direct "Havana Nights," a sequel to 1987's "Dirty Dancing," reports Variety.

Plans to franchise the successful Patrick Swayze/Jennifer Grey pic have been in the works for years, and names such as Ricky Martin and Natalie Portman have been bandied about as possible stars. The current production has no cast attachments.

The homevid life of "Dirty Dancing" remains stellar for Artisan: Pic sells an average of 157,000 videos and DVDs per month, according to the shingle. Soundtrack has sold over 22 million units, making it one of the bestselling albums in RCA history.

Inspired by the original but set in 1959 Cuba, "Havana Nights" follows the life of a 17-year old girl who moves with her family to revolution-era Cuba. While there, she defies her family's wishes when she falls hard for a local dancer, who helps her discover herself and a world beyond her sheltered life.

Pre-production will begin in the fall.