lisa niemi says she has read the new Dirty Dancing sequel script and was deeply moved by what she found. In an interview published April 18, the 69-year-old said the project appears to handle Patrick Swayze’s legacy with care. The update comes as the film moves forward with plans to begin production later this year, with Jennifer Grey returning as Frances “Baby” Houseman.
Lisa Niemi Says the Script Left Her Emotional
Lisa Niemi said, “I actually got to read the script, ” adding, “I was very moved by it. ” Her comments centered on how the sequel treats Patrick Swayze’s Johnny Castle, the role he made famous in the 1987 original. She said she appreciated the handling of that character and made clear she is watching the project closely as it develops.
Patrick Swayze died in 2009 after a 22-month battle with pancreatic cancer at age 57. Lisa Niemi, who was married to him from 1975 until his death, said she wishes the filmmakers “the best of luck” and added, “They’ve been working on it [for] quite a while. And I can’t wait to see it. ”
Dirty Dancing Sequel Plans Move Ahead
The sequel follows confirmation in January that the new installment would move into production later in the year. Jennifer Grey is set to reprise her role and serve as executive producer, while Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson are producing and Kim Rosenstock is writing the script.
Grey said in a January press release that the role of Baby has remained deeply meaningful to her and that it took time to assemble the right people to build on the original film’s legacy. She also acknowledged the challenge of revisiting a film that still holds a strong place in the hearts of fans.
Reaction Remains Mixed, But Legacy Is a Central Concern
Some fans immediately pushed back when the sequel was announced, saying a new film without Patrick Swayze felt wrong. Others pointed out that the franchise already included a 2004 follow-up, though that project took a different path and was not the same kind of continuation now in development.
Jennifer Grey has said there is no replacing anyone who has passed and that the goal is to do something different rather than repeat what made the original work. Lisa Niemi’s comments now add another layer to the discussion: for her, the key question is whether the new film protects what Patrick Swayze meant to the story.
What Comes Next for the Sequel
For now, the project is still in its early public phase, with production expected later in the year. Lisa Niemi’s reaction suggests she is not endorsing the film lightly, but she is willing to wait and see how it comes together. If the final film reflects the care she described, Dirty Dancing may move forward with its legacy intact and Patrick Swayze still at the center of the conversation.
