Justin Simien is taking on another reboot.
Simien who directing the Haunted Mansion reboot for Disney is now also attached to adapt and direct Paramount+’s forthcoming Flashdance reboot series.
The now-series has been in the works for over a year and is based on the 1983 Jennifer Beals-led blockbuster hit romantic drama film. Adrian Lyne helmed the original film which centered on Alex Owens (Beals), a beautiful young woman who works a day job in a steel mill and dances in a bar at night. When Alex discovers that her handsome boss, Nick Hurley (Michael Nouri), is both interested in her and supportive of her performing career, she renews her efforts to get accepted into a prestigious dance conservatory. Although Alex is frightened of failure, she is cheered on by Nick, as well as by her mentor, former ballet performer Hanna Long (Lilia Skala).
READ: 16 Remakes in the Works
Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, the film had still become a surprise box-office success with a gross of over $200 million worldwide, making it the third highest-grossing film of that year. It was also Beals’ first major movie which earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.
Simien will adapt and direct the “contemporary take on the Paramount Pictures classic.” It will center around a young Black woman with ballet dreams and a strip club reality who struggles to find her place in the world while navigating romance, money, art, friendship and how to love herself. Tracy McMillan will reboot the Flashdance reboot with the original film’s associate producer Lynda Obst attached to serve as an executive producer. On top of executive producing, Angela Robinson has also signed on to direct the pilot as part of her overall deal with Paramount Television Studios.
READ: Rosario Dawson Joins Tiffany Haddish, LaKeith Stanfield in Disney’s Haunted Mansion Remake
Simien is currently working on Disney’s upcoming live-action horror comedy Haunted Mansion, starring Tiffany Haddish, Rosario Dawson, Danny DeVito, and more. It is based on the popular Disneyland theme park attraction.