Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson Team Up with Jennifer Grey for a New ‘Dirty Dancing’ Sequel, Scripted by Kim Rosenstock
Lionsgate Announces New ‘Dirty Dancing’ Film with Jennifer Grey
Lionsgate is set to revive the beloved classic Dirty Dancing, with producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson from the Hunger Games franchise taking the helm. The screenplay will be crafted by Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Kim Rosenstock, who is also the 2025 Humanitas Prize winner. Production is anticipated to begin later this year.
Jennifer Grey will reprise her iconic role as Frances “Baby” Houseman, a character she previously received a Golden Globe nomination for. Grey will also serve as an executive producer for the new film. Jonathan Levine, initially slated to direct, will also hold the executive producer title.
“Dirty Dancing remains as beloved today as it was upon its initial release, and we knew that a very special group of people would have to come together for fans to embrace a return to Kellerman’s,” said Adam Fogelson, Chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “We are beyond thrilled to announce we have assembled the perfect team to carry this film forward in partnership with Jennifer Grey. There are no better producers for this movie than our longtime partners and friends Nina and Brad from The Hunger Games, and we could not be more excited to have Kim coming on board to write. With this super team now in place, we are moving full steam ahead so that both existing fans and new audiences can discover the magic, the music, and the emotion that is Dirty Dancing in a new theatrical film meant for the big screen.”
Grey expressed her excitement for reprising the role: “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.”
Jacobson added, “Dirty Dancing is 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.”
The project will be overseen by Meredith Wieck and Maria Ascanio for Lionsgate, with agreements finalized by Phil Strina.
Jacobson and Simpson are also producing the Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping prequel for Lionsgate, scheduled for release on November 20. Additionally, they are executive producers for Ryan Murphy’s upcoming Netflix limited series Love Story: John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.
Rosenstock, known for her role as co-creator of the hit Hulu series Dying for Sex, is also an executive producer on Love Story: John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette and has previously contributed to Only Murders in the Building, GLOW, Single Parents, and New Girl.
Lionsgate is poised for a strong year in 2026, building on the success of The Housemaid, projected to approach $300 million in global box office sales, marking it as the highest-grossing movie of director Paul Feig’s career when considering inflation and global currency fluctuations.
