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NEED TO KNOW
Jennifer Grey is set to film the Dirty Dancing sequel later this year, Lionsgate announced Jan. 27
Hunger Games and Crazy Rich Asians producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will produce the continuation
Grey starred as Frances "Baby" Houseman opposite Patrick Swayze in the 1987 original
Jennifer Greyis revisiting the time of her life.
Lionsgate announced on Tuesday, Jan. 27, that the actress will officially reprise her role as Frances "Baby" Houseman in its upcomingDirty Dancingsequel, withHunger GamesandCrazy Rich Asiansproducers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson at the helm.
The new installment will be written byDying for Sexscreenwriter Kim Rosenstock, and production is expected to start later this year.
"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," says Grey, 65, who starred opposite the latePatrick Swayzein the 1987 original.
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"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," she adds.
Producer Jacobson saysDirty Dancingis "that rare film that is as emotional, exhilarating and rebellious today as it was the year it was released."
"To be able to work with Jennifer Grey and Lionsgate on the sequel is a genuine joy for Brad and me. We feel so fortunate to have been invited back to Kellerman's for one more dance," she says.
Grey, also an executive producer on the project, has talked about returning for aDirty Dancingsequel for years, and it wasrevealed to be in the works back in 2020.
Later that year, the actress told PEOPLE thecontinuation film won't attempt to recapture the chemistryshe had with Swayze, who died in 2009 at age 57 of pancreatic cancer.
"All I can say is there is no replacing anyone who's passed — you never try to repeat anything that's magic like that," she said at the time. "You just go for something different."
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