Jennifer Grey Returns as Baby as Lionsgate Announces New “Dirty Dancing”

“Dirty Dancing” sequel moves ahead with Jennifer Grey, new producers, and a new writer.

Lionsgate is stepping closer to the dance floor with its long-awaited “Dirty Dancing” sequel. The studio is eyeing a start of production later in 2026.

The company has brought aboard producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson to oversee the film. The duo produced major studio hits, including “The Hunger Games” and “Crazy Rich Asians.”

Meanwhile, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Kim Rosenstock will write the screenplay. Rosenstock also won the 2025 Humanitas Prize.

Jennifer Grey will reprise her Golden Globe-nominated role as Frances “Baby” Houseman.

She will also executive produce the film. Jonathan Levine will also executive produce. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson framed the sequel as a return with purpose. “Dirty Dancing remains as beloved today as it was upon its initial release,” Fogelson said. “We are beyond thrilled to announce we have assembled the perfect team to carry this film forward in partnership with Jennifer Grey.”

Fogelson also pointed to the movie’s theatrical ambition. “With this super team now in place, we are moving full steam ahead,” he said. He added that audiences will be able to discover the “magic, the music and the emotion” on the big screen.

Grey emphasized the emotional stakes behind revisiting Baby. “The role of Baby has held a very deep and meaningful place in my heart,” Grey said. She added that she has wondered where Baby might be years later. “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,” she said.

Jacobson echoed that confidence in the story’s staying power. “Dirty Dancing is that rare film that is as emotional, exhilarating, and rebellious today as it was the year it was released,” she said. “We feel so fortunate to have been invited back to Kellerman’s for one more dance.”

Lionsgate’s Team Behind the Scenes

Meredith Wieck and Maria Ascanio will oversee the Lionsgate project. Phil Strina handled the studio’s dealmaking.

Jacobson and Simpson, through Color Force, remain busy with Lionsgate’s slate. They are producing “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” set for a Nov. 20, 2026, theatrical release.

Rosenstock also brings strong TV credentials to the sequel. She co created Hulu’s “Dying for Sex.” She previously wrote for “Only Murders in the Building,” “GLOW,” “Single Parents,” and “New Girl.”

The Original Film and the Franchise’s Past Detour

First released in 1987, “Dirty Dancing” became a pop culture landmark. The film mixed romance, music, and a coming of age arc at Kellerman’s resort. It also turned Baby and dance instructor Johnny Castle into enduring icons.

The original “Dirty Dancing” became a cultural touchstone in 1987. It paired romance, class tension, and a coming-of-age arc with wall-to-wall music.

However, its lasting power also came from Patrick Swayze. Swayze played dance instructor Johnny Castle, the cool heart of Kellerman’s. His chemistry with Grey helped turn a small story into a phenomenon. That legacy matters for the sequel. Johnny cannot simply stroll back into frame.

So the new film will need a thoughtful approach. It can honor Swayze without trying to replace him. It can also let Baby’s life speak for itself. If done right, Johnny’s influence can remain present. The sequel could show how that summer shaped Baby’s choices for years.

In 2004, the brand expanded into theaters with “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights,” a spinoff starring Diego Luna. The story shifted to Cuba and introduced new leads. It did not continue Baby’s storyline.

Now, Lionsgate is aiming for a true return to Kellerman’s. If the plan holds, audiences will soon see who Baby became after that defining summer.

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