Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in a scene from 'Dirty Dancing' (Photo : Reurters/Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
American network channel ABC will remake the classic 1980s film "Dirty Dancing," with Oscar nominated actress Abigail Breslin, 19, to play the female lead.
Breslin, who shot to fame in 2006 in her role as Olive Hoover, a beauty pageant contestant in "Little Miss Sunshine," will play the starring role of Baby Houseman, according to the Guardian.
While the channel announced future plans for the three hour adaptation, a launch date has yet to be released along with names of the rest of the cast.
The news has sparked much speculation as to who will play the iconic male lead, once played by Patrick Swayze. According to the publication, Australian director Wayne Blair who was behind the film "The Sapphires" which was released in 2012 will direct the show.
The original film is set in 1963 and revolves around the love story between Jennifer Grey's character and Swayze's character of Johnny Castle. Swayze's role in the film was his launching pad into stardom, while the "Ghost" actor also lent his voice to a song titled, "She's Like The Wind" which featured on the film's soundtrack, according to the BBC.
The British news outlet reported that writer Eleanor Bergstein, who was involved in the original screenplay of the movie, and the successful musical "Dirty Dancing," is on board for the remake which is to be produced by Lionsgate TV.
In 2011, it was reported that Lionsgate would remake the film with original choreographer and director of the popular "High School Musical," Kenny Ortega at the helm.
The iconic film which was produced on a budget of six million dollars, is reported to have garnered more than $200 million worldwide sales since its initial release.
