Jennifer Grey confirms 'Dirty Dancing' sequel almost 40 years later – but fans are calling it a huge mistake

Nobody can put Jennifer Grey into a corner.

Lionsgate confirmed that the actress, 65, will be dancing back to the stage nearly 40 years after she and the late Patrick Swayze starred in Dirty Dancing.

Grey will reprise her role as Frances "Baby" Houseman in the 1987 film's sequel which is now officially in the works.

Stream the original Dirty Dancing film now, on Stan.

"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," Grey said in a press release.

"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.

"I'm excited to say that it looks like the wait will soon be over!" she concluded.

READ MORE: Tyra Banks admits series 'went too far' in explosive Netflix trailer for controversial American's Next Top Model docuseries

With Hunger Games and Crazy Rich Asians producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson at the helm, Lionsgate confirmed production on the sequel will start in the coming months.

Grey took the announcement to Instagram but the consensus from fans was that a sequel film was unnecessary.

"Why add to something that's perfect? We don't need a sequel," one fan wrote, amassing hundreds of agreeing likes.

Another commented: "Nooooooo😩 leave it alone. We didn't need nor asked for a sequel."

Most feared it just "won't be the same without the Patrick Swayze".

It looks like Grey feels the same of co-star Swayze, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2009.

READ MORE: Fans shock as troubled child star resurfaces after 24 years

Grey, who is an executive producer on the project, first spoke about the continuation film back in 2020.

She then said to PEOPLE: "All I can say is there is no replacing anyone who's passed – you never try to repeat anything that's magic like that.

"You just go for something different."

1987 – The time of your life

The original Dirty Dancing film was one of 1987's biggest surprises. The story, set in 1963, followed Frances 'Baby' Houseman (Jennifer Grey), a privileged teenager who falls in love with Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze), a rebellious dance instructor.

It was filmed on a $6 million budget and earned $213 million at the box office, gave rise to Swayze and Grey's careers, and the song (I've Had) The Time of My Life earned an Academy Award, Golden Globe and a Grammy.

Jennifer Grey's life and career

Grey was a standout star of the 1980s having filmed smash hits Dirty Dancing and Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Nine days before the premiere of Dirty Dancing, Grey was involved in a head-on car collision while holidaying in Ireland with her then-boyfriend Matthew Broderick.

READ MORE: Big Bang Theory star teases spin-off return almost 20 years since show's premiere – so where is the cast now?

Two occupants of the other car were killed while Grey sustained significant injuries including whiplash and several torn ligaments that prevented her from dancing.

The physical and emotional toll of the incident meant Grey did not act for some time afterward.

In the 1990s, Grey underwent two rhinoplasty procedures that she went on to regret.

While Grey wanted to fine-tune her profile, the changes altered her appearance so much she felt it impacted her recognisability and eventually her career.

From 1999 to 2000, Grey starred as herself in the sitcom It's Like, You Know. She then played Judy Meyers on Red Oaks from 2014 to 2017. In 2018, Grey appeared in the film Untogether.

Grey married actor Clark Gregg in July 2001, and had daughter Stella later that year.

The couple announced their separation after 19 years together in a joint statement released in July 2020.

Stream the original Dirty Dancing film now, on Stan.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest news from your favourite shows via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.