Dirty Dancing 2: Return of Jennifer Grey

Anyone who has always wanted to know how "Dirty Dancing" protagonist Frances "Baby" Houseman fared after the end of the cult dance film can rejoice. A planned sequel to the 1987 hit movie is taking shape. And the best thing is that former leading actress Jennifer Grey is back on board in her signature role as "Baby", as Deadline reports. The star will also serve as an executive producer. In a statement, she said:

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!

Production on the sequel is due to begin later this year. With Brad Simpson and Nina Jacobson, two producers have now been announced who already have experience in continuing successful franchises through the "Hunger Games" series. Kim Rosenstock, who most recently made a name for herself as co-creator of the highly acclaimed mini-series "Dying for Sex", is responsible for the screenplay. Jonathan Levine was initially set to direct. However, he will now only be involved as an executive producer. A replacement has not yet been named.

A sequel with Jennifer Grey was already announced in 2020. The film was due to be released in 2024. However, the whole thing was delayed due to strikes in Hollywood. Nothing has been announced about the plot of the sequel, but one thing seems certain: The role of lead actor Patrick Swayze, who died in 2009, will not be recast. At least that was Grey's assurance in an interview with People a few years ago.

Dirty Dancing: A huge success

In the original film from the 80s, Patrick Swayze played the dance teacher Johnny Castle. The film is set in the summer vacations of 1963 and tells the story of how Johnny and the young Frances "Baby" Houseman meet at a vacation resort. Through a series of unfortunate circumstances, "Baby" soon becomes Johnny's new dance partner - and falls in love with the passionate dirty dancer. The movie is anything but free of kitsch. However, with worldwide box office takings of 214 million US dollars, it not only became a commercial hit, but also a classic of the dance film genre, whose popularity continues to this day.

But why was the film so successful? First and foremost, the music. The songs from the "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack became timeless classics that are still played at parties today. Above all, "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes has become an indestructible catchy tune that makes you think of the movie as soon as you hear the first bars. The evergreen received various awards, including a Grammy, a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Song. The entire soundtrack remained at the top of the Billboard charts for 18 weeks and was certified platinum 14 times.

In addition to the music, it is of course the dance scenes that make the movie unforgettable. Who doesn't remember Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze performing what is probably the most famous lift in film history to the sounds of "Time of My Life" in the grand finale of "Dirty Dancing". In any case, the two leading actors shine with their physicality. When Grey and Swayze dance together, it's easy to overlook the fact that the characters could have been portrayed with a little more nuance.

The original film was just the beginning

The immense success of "Dirty Dancing" led to several remakes over the years. Among other things, a short-lived TV series of the same name followed in 1988 with Patrick Cassidy as Johnny Castle and Melora Hardin as "Baby". In 2004, there was a sequel, "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights" , set in Cuba and completely detached from the original in terms of content. Patrick Swayze can at least be seen in a short supporting role as a dance teacher. In the same year, the musical "Dirty Dancing", based on the original film, celebrated its world premiere in Sydney.

It remains to be seen whether the planned new film will satisfy fans of the original. However, the mere fact that Jennifer Grey will be back in the role of Frances "Baby" Houseman after all these years makes us curious. And if the sequel doesn't convince you, you can simply watch the original again. Over and over again.