Dirty Dancing Sequel Will Honor Patrick Swayze Without AI, Producer Says
Nina Jacobson told IndieWire's Future of Filmmaking 2026 Summit the sequel will address how audiences mourn Swayze, who died in 2009.
The planned Dirty Dancing sequel will honor Patrick Swayze rather than bring him back with AI, producer Nina Jacobson said at IndieWire's Future of Filmmaking 2026 Summit. Jacobson said the film will address how to let audiences mourn the actor, according to IndieWire.
Jacobson, of Color Force, said the sequel will not use artificial intelligence to recreate Swayze, who played Johnny Castle in the 1987 original and died in 2009 of pancreatic cancer.
Jennifer Grey, who starred opposite Swayze as Frances "Baby" Houseman, is involved in developing the sequel and has shared her insights on the original film and her character. Grey returns as Baby, with the story set in the 1990s and featuring a new young cast.
Jacobson described the approach as an attempt to recapture the feeling of the 1987 film. Color Force joined as producers on Lionsgate's Dirty Dancing follow-up earlier in 2026.
The panel was moderated by IndieWire editor-in-chief Brent Lang.
Quick answers
Will Patrick Swayze appear in the new Dirty Dancing sequel?
No. Producer Nina Jacobson said the sequel will not bring Swayze back using AI and will instead address how audiences mourn him.
Who is returning for the Dirty Dancing sequel?
Jennifer Grey returns as Frances "Baby" Houseman and is involved in developing the film, which is set in the 1990s with a new young cast.
When did Color Force join the Dirty Dancing sequel?
Nina Jacobson's company Color Force joined as producers on Lionsgate's follow-up earlier in 2026.