Artisan & Miramax Dance With Diego Luna In ‘Havana Nights’.

Miramax Films and Artisan Entertainment announced that Diego Luna (“Frida,” “Y tu mama tambien,” “Before Night Falls”) has been cast as the male lead in “Havana Nights,” the second installment in the “Dirty Dancing” franchise, which is being directed by Guy Ferland (“Bang, Bang, You’re Dead,” and FX’s “The Shield”). Veteran producer Lawrence Bender (the upcoming Quentin Tarantino film, “Kill Bill,” along with “Reservoir Dogs,” “Pulp Fiction,” “Good Will Hunting,” “Anna and the King” and “The Mexican”) is producing the co-production, which is scheduled to begin production in February 2003 and scheduled for release on November 21, 2003.

Artisan and Miramax will co-finance and co-produce “Havana Nights,” with Artisan distributing the film domestically and Buena Vista International distributing internationally.

Inspired by the original, but set in 1959 Cuba, “Havana Nights” follows the story of a 17-year-old girl who moves with her family to revolution-era Cuba. While in Cuba, she defies her family’s wishes when she falls for a young Cuban dancer, who helps her discover both herself and a world beyond her sheltered existence.

Rachel Cohen, senior vice president, reporting to Artisan Pictures CEO Bob Cooper, will oversee project’s development for Artisan. Jennifer Berman, vice president of production and development, will oversee the project for Miramax, reporting to co-presidents Meryl Poster and Bob Osher.