‘Dirty Dancing 2’ Officially Adds Original Star Jennifer Grey

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Jennifer Grey is confirmed to reprise her role as Baby in a new Dirty Dancing movie! The sequel has been in development for nearly six years, and now it’s finally happening. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, who produced The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, will be producing the film for Lionsgate.

Kim Rosenstock, the writer of ‘Dying for Sex,’ is writing the script for ‘Dirty Dancing 2.’ Jonathan Levine, who was initially going to direct, will now be an executive producer on the film. Filming for the ‘Dirty Dancing’ sequel is planned to start later in 2026. Jennifer Grey will reprise her role as Baby and also be an executive producer. Grey shared her thoughts on returning to the franchise, stating:

“The role of Baby has held a very deep and meaningful place in my heart, as it has in the hearts of so many fans over the years. I’ve long wondered where we might find Baby years later and what her life might be like, but it’s taken time to assemble the kind of people that I felt could be entrusted to build on the legacy of the original film… and I’m excited to say that it looks like the wait will soon be over!”

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson said in a statement regarding the upcoming film:

As a longtime fan, I was cautiously optimistic about a new Dirty Dancing film, but the team behind it has genuinely excited me. They clearly understand what makes this story so special, and they’ve assembled a fantastic group to bring it back to the big screen alongside Jennifer Grey. The producers, Nina and Brad, who I know from their work on The Hunger Games, are incredibly talented, and having Kim write the script feels like the perfect fit. It sounds like they’re really committed to capturing the magic, music, and emotion of the original while also making it accessible to a whole new generation. I’m genuinely hopeful this won’t just be a nostalgia trip, but a truly special cinematic experience.

‘Dirty Dancing’ Franchise History


Vestron Pictures

Released in August 1987, Dirty Dancing is a romantic drama set in 1963. The film tells the story of Frances “Baby” Houseman (Grey) who falls in love with her dance instructor, Johnny Castle (Swayze), during a summer vacation. It was a huge success, earning $214 million worldwide and becoming a cultural icon. From the Oscar-winning song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” to its famous final pose – which has been referenced in films like Crazy Stupid Love and the recent Prime Video series Merv – Dirty Dancing remains a beloved classic.

In 2004, a prequel film called Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, featuring Diego Luna and Romola Garai, was released directly to video. A Dirty Dancing television series was also attempted in 1989 by CBS, but it only lasted one season. More recently, a sequel to the original film was announced in 2020, with Jennifer Grey expected to return as Frances Houseman, now a dance teacher. Producer Nina Jacobson shared details about the planned movie, stating:

Dirty Dancing remains a powerfully moving, exciting, and unconventional film, even now. Brad and I are thrilled to be working with Jennifer Grey and Lionsgate on a sequel. We’re incredibly grateful to be returning to Kellerman’s for another chapter.

Fans are wondering how the new Dirty Dancing movie will pay tribute to the original star, Patrick Swayze, who sadly passed away in 2009. The original film is so well-loved, and this sequel has a lot to live up to. However, like Top Gun: Maverick, it could be a nostalgic return to the 80s that audiences have been hoping for.




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2026-01-27 23:48