Jennifer Grey will reprise her role as Baby in the Dirty Dancing sequel as fans voice backlash over proceeding without Patrick Swayze
The long-awaited Dirty Dancing sequel is moving forward, but many fans feel it won’t be the same without the late Patrick Swayze. Lionsgate confirmed in January 2026 that the follow-up to the beloved 1987 movie will begin production later in the year.
Jennifer Grey is set to reprise her role as Frances “Baby” Houseman and serve as an executive producer. Hunger Games and Crazy Rich Asians producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson are also set to produce the sequel, while Dying for Sex showrunner Kim Rosenstock is writing the script. The original Dirty Dancing saw Baby falling in love with dance instructor Johnny Castle at a resort in the 1960s. Swayze died of pancreatic cancer in 2009, leaving many people to argue that a Dirty Dancing sequel should not be made without him. However, Grey reassured fans in 2020 that the film would never try to recreate her chemistry with Swayze. 'All I can say is there is no replacing anyone who’s passed — you never try to repeat anything that’s magic like that,' she told People at the time. 'You just go for something different.'Jennifer Grey Set to Star in ‘Dirty Dancing’ Sequel“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,” she said. “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.”Fans Protest the ‘Dirty Dancing’ Sequel Being Made Without Patrick Swayze“That’s disrespectful to Patrick Swayze. Nobody asked for a sequel to Dirty Dancing at all,” one user wrote via X. “Who tf want a dirty dancing sequel with no patrick swayze,” another fan shared, while a third person posted, “Why? Seriously, why? This is just a bad idea all the way around. Dirty Dancing is a timeless classic that should be left alone. No sequel needed, especially without Patrick Swayze.” 'We already had a Dirty Dancing 2,” another user wrote, sharing a photo from Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, the 2004 sequel starring Diego Luna and Romola Garai. The film received mostly unfavorable reviews from critics.“So, I’ve never actually seen DIRTY DANCING, but I feel like making a sequel without Patrick Swayze isn’t a great idea,” one user shared via X.Jennifer Grey is so far the only confirmed cast member of the Dirty Dancing sequel. In addition to Grey and Swayze, the original film starred Jerry Orbach , Kelly Bishop, Cynthia Rhodes, Jane Brucker, Jack Weston , Wayne Knight, Lonny Price, Max Cantor , Neal Jones and Miranda Garrison.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Dirty Dancing’ Sequel With Jennifer Grey Moving Forward as Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson Board to ProduceKim Rosenstock is penning the script for Lionsgate's feature follow-up to the 1987 classic.
Read more »
Dirty Dancing Sequel Officially Sets Filming Window With Jennifer Grey Returning As Iconic RoleBaby (Jennifer Grey) and Johnny (Patrick Swayze) in Dirty Dancing
Read more »
'Dirty Dancing' Sequel in the Works With Hunger Games ProducersDirty Dancing (1987)
Read more »
Jennifer Grey returning for 'Dirty Dancing 2'— as new updates on sequel are revealedToday's Video Headlines: 01/27/26
Read more »
The much-anticipated 'Dirty Dancing' sequel starring Jennifer Grey FINALLY gets an updateThis 'Dirty Dancing' news will make fans have the time of their lives! Lionsgate provided the first update to the 'Dirty Dancing' sequel.
Read more »
Dirty Dancing Sequel Update: Jennifer Grey ReturnsLionsgate releases update on the upcoming Dirty Dancing sequel, with Jennifer Grey set to reprise her role as Baby. Production is slated to begin later this year, overseen by producers from 'Hunger Games' and 'Crazy Rich Asians.' Grey expressed her excitement for the project, hinting at the long-awaited return of Baby and the continuation of the original film's legacy.
Read more »