Jennifer Grey to Return as Baby in New Dirty Dancing Sequel

Movieweb reports Jennifer Grey is officially returning as Baby for a new Dirty Dancing sequel. The Hollywood Reporter confirms that producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will oversee the film for Lionsgate, Kim Rosenstock will write the script, and Jonathan Levine has stepped down as director but will serve as an executive producer; Grey is also set to be an executive producer.

Regarding her return, Jennifer Grey 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!” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson added that the team assembled will allow both existing fans and new audiences to "discover the magic, the music and the emotion that is Dirty Dancing in a new theatrical film meant for the big screen." The original Dirty Dancing was released in August 1987, set in 1963 and starred Frances "Baby" Houseman (Grey) falling in love with dance instructor Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze); the film grossed $214 million worldwide and became known for the Oscar-winning song "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" and its iconic pose.