Long-delayed Dirty Dancing sequel with original star takes a step forward with the “perfect” team
The long-awaited Dirty Dancing sequel has taken a big step forward. The follow-up to the iconic 1987 movie has been previously delayed, having been initially confirmed four years ago.
It has now been revealed that the project is finally eyeing up a filming start later this year, with The Hunger Games’ Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson on board as producers.
Dying for Sex’s Kim Rosenstock is set to write the screenplay, though original director Jonathan Levine – who is an executive producer – is no longer set to helm the film.
As previously revealed, original star Jennifer Grey will be back as Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman, while the star is also set to executive produce too.
“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,” the actor said in a statement.
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“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 noted that Dirty Dancing “remains as beloved today as it was upon its initial release” and they “knew that a very special group of people would have to come together for fans to embrace a return to Kellerman’s”.
“We are beyond thrilled to announce we have assembled the perfect team to carry this film forward in partnership with Jennifer Grey,” he continued.
“There are no better producers for this movie than our longtime partners and friends Nina and Brad from The Hunger Games, and we could not be more excited to have Kim coming on board to write.
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“With this super team now in place, we are moving full steam ahead so that both existing fans and new audiences can discover the magic, the music and the emotion that is Dirty Dancing in a new theatrical film meant for the big screen.”
The original ’80s movie follows young woman Baby as she falls in love with dance instructor Johnny Castle (played by the late Patrick Swayze) during a vacation in New York’s Catskills resort.
The sequel was previously reported to be set in the ’90s, focused on a new young woman’s coming-of-age tale as it intertwines with Baby’s story – though it is unclear whether the follow-up will still focus on the same storyline.
The Dirty Dancing sequel is yet to confirm a release date.
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