'Dirty Dancing 2' underway with the return of Jennifer Gray and creative team ready

Lionsgate officially has a sequel to the film classic underway, Dirty Dancingwith the return of the protagonist of the 1987 film, Jennifer Greyreprising her role as Frances “Baby” Houseman.

Development is going so well that the studio has already reached an agreement with Nina Jacobson y Brad Simpsonso that they are the producers of Dirty Dancing 2 (via Deadline). The duo produces one of Lionsgate's most important sagas, The Hunger Gamesin addition to the Netflix miniseries, Love Story: John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessettesoon to be released.

Kim Rosenstock (New Girl, GLOW, Single Parents, Dying for Sex) wrote the script for the sequel.

Production is scheduled to begin this year.

In addition to reprising her leading role, Gray will be one of the executive producers. Jonathan Levine is another of the executive producers.

Dirty Dancingfrom 1987, starred Gray as a young woman who falls in love with dance instructor Jonny Castle (Patrick Swayze) at a resort in the Catskills, New York, during the summer of 1963.

The film grossed $214 million at the global box office, while the main theme “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” won the Oscar for best original song. The film also introduced the phrase “Nothing Puts Baby in the Corner” to pop culture.

In 1988, CBS aired the series Dirty Dancingwhich works as a continuation of the film with a new cast. The prequel was released in 2004. Dirty Dancing: Havana Nightsstarring Diego Luna and Romola Garai, while in 2017 a made-for-TV remake headed by Abigail Breslin and Colt Prattes was released. In 2004 the staging took place Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage.

Adam Fogelson, president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, stated in a press release:

“Dirty Dancing remains as beloved today as it was when it premiered, and we knew a very special group of people would have to come together for fans to celebrate the return to Kellerman's. We are delighted to announce that we have assembled the perfect team to bring this film to life in collaboration with Jennifer Grey. There are no better producers for this film than our long-time partners and friends, Nina and Brad, of Hunger Gamesand we're thrilled to have Kim joining the team to write it. With this great team now in place, we are moving full steam ahead so that both current fans and new audiences can discover the magic, music and excitement of Dirty Dancing in a new movie for the big screen.”

Gray added:

“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 have long wondered where we would find Baby years later and what her life would be like, but it has taken time to gather the people I believed I could trust to continue the legacy of the original film… and I'm excited to say that it looks like the wait will soon be over.”

Jacobson joined in:

“Dirty Dancing is one of those rare films that is as emotional, exciting and rebellious today as it was the year it was released. Being able to work with Jennifer Gray and Lionsgate on the sequel is a real joy for Brad and I. We feel very lucky to have been invited back to Kellerman's for one more dance.”