the expected Dirty Dancing sequel is progressing, but many fans believe it won’t be the same without the late Patrick Swayze.
Lionsgate confirmed in January 2026 that the follow-up to the beloved 1987 film will begin production later this year. Jennifer Gray is set to reprise her role as Frances “Baby” Houseman and serve as an executive producer.
hunger games i Crazy rich Asians producers Nina Jacobson i Brad Simpson are also set to produce the sequel, while Dying for sex showrunner Kim Rosenstock is writing the script.
the original Dirty Dancing saw Baby (Grey) falling in love with dance instructor Johnny Castle (Swayze) at a resort in the 1960s.
Jennifer Gray took a trip down memory lane recalling shooting a sex scene with Patrick Swayze in 1984’s Red Dawn. “As an actor, you’re looking at all your stuff in the script and you’re like, ‘OK, I’m running. I’m shooting I’m running I’m throwing hand grenades. I’m killing myself with a hand grenade,” Gray, 64, (…)
Swayze died of pancreatic cancer in 2009, leading many to argue that a Dirty Dancing the sequel should not be made without him. However, Gray assured fans in 2020 that the film would never attempt to recreate his chemistry with Swayze.
“All I can say is there’s no replacing anyone who’s been through — never try to repeat anything that’s magical like that,” he said. people at that time. “You’re just looking for something different.”
Keep scrolling for more on the backlash surrounding the Dirty Dancing sequel:
Jennifer Gray to Star in ‘Dirty Dancing’ Sequel
Jennifer Gray discussed reprising her role as Baby in a January 2026 press release.
“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,” he said. “I’ve long wondered where we might find Baby years later and what her life might be like, but it’s taken a while to assemble the kind of people I felt could be trusted to build the legacy of the original film.”
Gray concluded, “I’m excited to say that it looks like the wait will soon be over!”
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Artisan Entertainment/ Courtesy: Everett CollectionFans are protesting that the “Dirty Dancing” sequel was made without Patrick Swayze
Lots of die-hard fans Dirty Dancing have expressed their disappointment with the following film.
“This is disrespectful to Patrick Swayze. Nobody asked for a sequel Dirty Dancing not at all,” wrote one user via X.
“Who wants a Dirty Dancing sequel without Patrick Swayze,” another fan shared, while a third person posted: “Why? Seriously why? This is just a bad idea all around. Dirty Dancing it’s a timeless classic that should be left alone. No need for a sequel, especially without Patrick Swayze.
‘We already had one Dirty Dancing 2,” another user wrote, sharing a photo Dirty Dancing: Havana Nightsthe 2004 sequel starring Diego Luna i Romola Garai. The film received mostly unfavorable reviews from critics.
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Even those who are not part of it Dirty Dancing The fandom has been wondering if this is the right move.
“So, I’ve never seen it DIRTY DANCEbut I feel like making a sequel without Patrick Swayze is not a great idea,” shared a user via X.
Who is the cast of the sequel to ‘Dirty Dancing’?
Jennifer Gray is so far the only confirmed cast member of the Dirty Dancing sequel
In addition to Gray and Swayze, the original film starred Jerry Orbach (died 2004), Kelly Bishop, Cynthia Rhodes, Jane Brucker, Jack Weston (died 1996), Wayne Knight, Lonny Price, Max Cantor (died 1996), Neal Jones i Miranda Garrison.