33 years after the release of the first film, Lionsgate announced the making of an official sequel.
Dubbed “one of the worst kept secrets in Hollywood”, a new ‘untitled dance movie’ set in the 1990s is rumoured to be in the works, with ‘Baby’ actor Jennifer Grey said to star.
It’s ok for fans to get excited though, because Lionsgate confirmed the rumours about the eagerly awaited sequel on 6 August.
In an earnings call, CEO of Lionsgate Jon Feltheimer said:
“It will be exactly the kind of romantic, nostalgic movie that the franchise’s fans have been waiting for and that have made it the biggest-selling library title in the company’s history.”
The original Dirty Dancing first released in 1987. Starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, it tells the story of a young woman who falls head over heels (literally) for her dance teacher while on holiday with her family.
Audiences will remember iconic scenes from the first film, including the climactic moment the couple dance to (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life and perform an overhead lift. The original song by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes went on to win an Oscar.
Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman (Grey) and Johnny Castle (Swayze) became household names in the years after Dirty Dancing came out, with lines like ‘Nobody puts Baby in the corner’ solidifying into pop culture.
As a result of its popularity, a reimagining of the film came out in 2004 named Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. It did not star Grey or Swayze, who passed away in 2009.
Grey’s involvement in the upcoming sequel is important considering she previously turned down the role in ABC’s 2017 remake, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Grey said at the time:
“I was asked to do something on that show and I was flattered because I always want to be asked because it’s nice to want to be included. But for me, it would be sacrosanct for me to do it because it didn’t feel appropriate to me.”
As well as her on-screen role, Grey is executive producer of the new film. She is working alongside Warm Bodies director Jonathan Levine, according to Deadline.
With Jennifer Grey returning to star, the sequel is set make a great comeback for Dirty Dancing fans.
