"Dirty Dancing" Does "La Vida Loca"?

Fri., May. 12, 2000 12:45 PM PDT by Emily Farache

Move over, Patrick Swayze, there's a new set of hips in town.

None other than Ricky Martin is in talks to star as the seductive, hip-swiveling instructor in a retooled version of the '80s classic Dirty Dancing, according to sources close to the project. If the producers have their wish, he'll be mamboing with Natalie Portman, who's also in early negotiatons.

The dream pairing of Mr. La Vida Loca and Queen Amidala would bring a new audience, and new life, to the story of a lady-killing Arthur Murray type who teaches the daughter of a Catskills resort visitor how to tango. (In the original 1987 flick, Jennifer Grey starred opposite Swayze as the would-be hoofer, Baby.)

To update the story, which was set in 1963, Artisan Entertainment (The Blair Witch Project) and Miramax (Shakespeare in Love) are moving the locale to Miami's South Beach. Dancing 2 will center on the hotel owner from the original film who now owns a nightclub, where he lives with his grandson.

Dirty Dancing 2 is likely to include the mambo, salsa and the tango in a blatant attempt to cash in on the current popularity of Latin music--and Martin.

While Martin, whose r?sum? includes stints with both Menudo and General Hospital, might be lacking the acting cred, at least he's got the dirty dancing part down. (Let's face it, Swayze wasn't exactly a master thespian.) Swayze reportedly may make a cameo appearance.

The original Dirty Dancing was a sleeper hit, grossing more than $63 million domestically and $150 million internationally and is one of the all-time bestselling videos. The soundtrack was also a smash, scoring hits with "Hungry Eyes," "I've Had the Time of My Life" and Swayze's own "She's Like the Wind." We're guessing the new soundtrack might feature a Martin cut or two.

Sequel rumors surfaced back in 1996, when Swayze was reportedly offered $5 million to reprise his star-making role. But that never panned out; insead, an anniversary edition was rereleased in 1997.

This new deal was purportedly hatched over lunch between Miramax's Harvey Weinstein and Artisan's Amir Malin back in December and announced Thursday at Cannes.

"Dirty Dancing is a cultural touchstone and phenomenal franchise property," said Weinstein.

Artisan and Miramax will coproduce and cofinance the $20 million-$25 million picture. It is the first time the two companies have worked together.