Jennifer Grey, 60, talks about making a Dirty Dancing sequel without the late Patrick Swayze: ‘There is no replacing anyone who’s passed’
Jennifer Grey is ready to have the time of her life again, even if it is without her co-star Patrick Swayze who died in 2009 at the age of 57.
The 60-year-old actress recently spoke about the upcoming sequel to 1987’s Dirty Dancing and how there will be a void without the superstar.
Grey, who portrayed Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman in the romantic drama, admitted to People that the new film would not attempt to re-create the onscreen rapport between her and Swayze that anchored much of the original film.
Looking forward: Jennifer Grey spoke to People about filming the upcoming sequel to Dirty Dancing without her late costar Patrick Swayze
‘All I can say is there is no replacing anyone who’s passed—you never try to repeat anything that’s magic like that.’
The Ferris Bueller’s Day Off actress also noted that the development team has opted to look for new storytelling avenues, stating that instead of trying to rehash what made the original film appealing, they are going for ‘something different.’
Swayze, who starred alongside Grey as dance instructor Johnny Castle, passed away in 2009 at the age of 57.
Grey also noted that the film’s popularity stemmed from its depiction of what she describes as ‘innocence and the way that innocence is lost and how people explode into a different iteration of themselves.’
No substitutions: Grey stated that there are no plans to replicate Swayze’s presence in the new film, stating that ‘there is no replacing anyone who’s passed’; the actress is seen in 2019
Continuing the story: The upcoming sequel will follow a stage show, TV series, and prequel from 2004, all based on the original film
After months of speculation the sequel was confirmed in August by Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer, according to Deadline.
The studio head had previously referred to the project as ‘one of the worst kept secrets in Hollywood.’
The upcoming film is set to be directed by 50/50 director Jonathan Levine with Gillian Bohrer from a script written by Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis.
The original film was released to a positive critical reception and was a smash hit at the box office, grossing $214.6 million on a budget of $5 million.
Raking it in: The original film made $214.6 million at the box office on a budget of $5 million dollars
Finally! The much-awaited sequel to the 1987 film was finally confirmed in August by Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer
The story was based on experiences from screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein’s childhood, as she had participated in ‘dirty dancing’ competitions in her youth.
Both Grey and Swayze were nominated for Golden Globe awards for Best Actress and Actor in a Motion Picture-Comedy/Musical, respectively.
The film also won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes’ (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life, which also went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
Dirty Dancing has been adapted into a successful stage show that premiered in 2004; a short-lived TV series based on the film was released in 1988, and a prequel to the film was released in 2004.
Gaining awards: The film won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life, which was featured prominently in the final dance scene of the movie