Lionsgate is officially moving forward with a sequel to Dirty Dancing, signaling a return to the summer the Houseman family went to Kellerman's.
The studio confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the long-anticipated follow-up is now in active development, with plans to begin production later this year.
The project will be produced by Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson through their Color Force banner, a company best known for its work on The Hunger Games franchise and Crazy Rich Asians.
The screenplay is being written by Kim Rosenstock, whose recent credits include Hulu’s Dying for Sex and episodes of Only Murders in the Building and GLOW.
Jennifer Grey, who starred as Frances “Baby” Houseman in the 1987 original, is attached to executive produce and reprise her role. While Jonathan Levine was previously set to direct, Lionsgate confirmed he will now serve as an executive producer instead. A director has not yet been named.
Originally released in August 1987, Dirty Dancing followed Baby’s life-changing summer at Kellerman’s resort, where she fell for dance instructor Johnny Castle, played by the late Patrick Swayze.
Set against the backdrop of the early 1960s, the film became a cultural phenomenon, ultimately earning $214 million worldwide—equivalent to more than $600 million today—and winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”
Over the years, the franchise has expanded in multiple directions, including the 2004 prequel Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, a stage musical, and a panned 2017 television remake that aired on ABC.
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson said the studio was intentional about assembling the right creative team, noting that the goal was to honor what made the film resonate in the first place. “We are beyond thrilled to announce we have assembled the perfect team to carry this film forward,” he said, adding that the sequel is intended to introduce the story to a new generation while respecting its legacy.
Grey echoed that sentiment, sharing that Baby’s journey has stayed with her for decades. “I’ve long wondered where we might find Baby years later and what her life might be like,” she said, adding that the project only came together once she felt the right collaborators were in place.
Additional oversight on the sequel will come from Lionsgate executives Meredith Wieck and Maria Ascanio, with deal negotiations handled by Phil Strina.
