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Patrick Swayze’s widow, Lisa Niemi Swayzeis sharing her thoughts on the upcoming Dirty Dancing sequel.
“I actually got to read the script,” Lisa, 69, exclusively told US Weekly While discussing Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Annual Purple Stride Walk. “I was very touched by it.”
Patrick died in 2009 at the age of 57 after a 22-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He starred in the original 1987 film as Johnny Castle, a charismatic but closeted dance instructor who falls in love with Jennifer Gray’s Frances “Baby” Houseman at the resort in the 1960s. Gray, 66, announced earlier this year that a new series of the series was in the works.
Despite some fans’ skepticism, Lisa said us The upcoming sequel does find a way to incorporate Patrick into the story, noting that she appreciates how it “handles” Johnny’s character.
Decades after the release of the original film, Dirty Dancing returns with its highly anticipated sequel. This 1987 classic follows Frances “Baby” Houseman (Jennifer Grey) as she spends the summer with her family at Kellerman’s Resort in the Catskills. During her stay, she falls in love with Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze), the camp’s dance instructor. between(…)
“I’m curious how it happened,” she added. “I wish them the best of luck. They’ve been working on this for a while. I can’t wait to see it.”
Lionsgate confirmed in January that the sequel to the beloved film will begin production later this year, with Gray reprising her role as Baby and serving as executive producer. Producer of “The Hunger Games” and “Crazy Rich Asians” Nina Jacobson and brad simpson will also produce, with Kim Rosenstock Write a script.
“The character Baby holds a very deep and meaningful place in my heart, and it has held a place in the hearts of many fans over the years,” Gray shared in a January press release. “I’ve always wondered where we would find Baby in a few years and what her life would be like, but I needed time to bring together the people I thought I could entrust to build on the legacy of the original film.”
announcement met with immediate backlash. Some die-hard fans expressed disappointment that the new film was being made without Patrick. Some called it a “disrespectful” move and claimed “no Dirty Dancing No Patrick Swayze. ” Others pointed out that the 2004 sequel, titled havana nightalready existed and featured Patrick as a supporting character.
Gray spoke about the mixed reactions in an interview people Earlier this year, she promised that the legacies of all her former costars would remain intact.
“All I can say is that anyone who has passed away is irreplaceable – you should never try to repeat something magical like this,” she told the outlet at the time. “You just go for something different.”
After all, Patrick isn’t the only one Dirty Dancing actor who died since the film’s premiere. Jack Westonas resort owner Max Kellerman, and Max CantorBoth men who played waiter Robbie died in 1996. Jerry OrbachDr. Jack Houseman, who played the baby’s father, died in 2004. The film also stars Kelly Bishop, Cynthia Rhodes, Jane Brooke, Wayne Knight, Lonnie Price, Neil Jones and Miranda Garrison. It has not yet been confirmed whether they will return.
Lisa, for her part, is delighted that her late husband still remains in people’s hearts, even nearly two decades after his death. Patrick still comes up to her “all the time” and gushes about their love for him, which is something that’s welcomed with open arms.
“People will say, ‘Patrick is my favorite actor. I’ve loved Patrick so much since I was X years old.’ I’m so happy that people still love them so much,” she told us. “My response is always, ‘You have really good taste.'”
Lisa has dedicated much of her life to keeping Patrick’s spirit alive, including through her advocacy for PanCAN, an organization she describes as a “one-stop shop” for pancreatic cancer patients and caregivers.
“It gave me a way to keep (Patrick) fighting because he fought so hard to get here, and just because he’s gone doesn’t mean the fight is over,” Lisa recalled of her first collaboration with the nonprofit shortly after the Ghost actor’s death. “I know how important this is to others facing this deadly cancer that progress must be made and we must continue to push for this goal.”
Next on her agenda is PanCAN’s Purple Stride fundraiser, which will be held on April 25 this year. The annual 5K event is held in more than 50 communities and has raised more than $17.6 million to date.
“These people showed so much energy, joy, love, love, love for their loved ones,” Lisa told reporters. us event. “They were there to represent all the people fighting this disease and all the people who have been lost to this disease. It was really inspiring and wonderful.”
