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Final casting has been completed for Artisan Entertainment and Miramax Films’ much anticipated feature film "Havana Nights: Dirty Dancing 2" as a noteworthy collection of talented actors have signed on to play key roles in the second installment of the Dirty Dancing franchise. In addition to the male and female leads played by Diego Luna and Romola Garai, the principal cast will include Sela Ward ("Once and Again," "My Fellow Americans") and John Slattery ("Traffic," "Bad Company") as the parents of Garai’s character, Katey, and Mika Boorem ("Blue Crush," "Riding in Cars With Boys") as Katey’s younger sister Susie. Jonathan Jackson ("Insomnia," "Tuck Everlasting") will play the aggressive American teenager James while René Lavan ("The Emerald Cut," "Azúcar Amarga") will play Carlos, the Cuban Revolutionary brother of Diego Luna’s character Javier and January Jones ("American Wedding," "Anger Management," "Full Frontal") will play Eve.

"Havana Nights: Dirty Dancing 2" is being directed by Guy Ferland and produced by Lawrence Bender with Sarah Green executive producing. The co-production is scheduled to begin principal photography on March 18 in Puerto Rico and scheduled for domestic release on Valentine’s Day weekend, February 13, 2004.

Artisan and Miramax are co-financing and co-producing "Havana Nights: Dirty Dancing 2" with Artisan distributing the film domestically and Buena Vista International distributing internationally.

Inspired by the original, but set in 1958 Cuba, "Havana Nights: Dirty Dancing 2" follows the story of a 17-year-old girl (Garai) 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 (Luna), who helps her discover both herself and a world beyond her sheltered existence.

"Dirty Dancing" was initially released on August 21, 1987 and starred Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in her breakthrough role, while transporting viewers to the summer of 1963 to observe a young girl's coming of age. The film earned a number of awards and distinctions including Best Song wins from both the Academy Awards® and Golden Globes® and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Film (Musical or Comedy).

SOURCE: Artisan Entertainment and Miramax Films