Dirty Dancing sequel with Jennifer Grey reprising her role sends fans into meltdown over Patrick Swayze's absence

Dirty Dancing fans are in full meltdown mode after news broke that a sequel is officially moving forward with Jennifer Grey returning to her iconic role, without her late co-star Patrick Swayze.

Lionsgate confirmed Tuesday that the beloved 1987 romance is getting a follow-up, with Grey set to reprise her role as Frances 'Baby' Houseman more than three decades after the original film became a cultural phenomenon.

The announcement, however, immediately sparked fierce debate online, with many longtime fans questioning how the franchise can continue without Swayze, who died in 2009 at age 57 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

'Wait - what? How can you make a Dirty Dancing sequel WITH Jennifer Grey but WITHOUT Patrick Swayze?' one fan wrote, echoing a sentiment that quickly spread across social media.

Another added bluntly: 'Absolutely not. He is gone and no one can replace him.'

Others appeared stunned that the project was even happening at all, with reactions ranging from disbelief to outright outrage.

'Dirty Dancing sequel actually happening is wild,' one user wrote, while another declared, 'I think the f*** not.'

Several fans warned the studio against attempting to recreate the magic of Johnny Castle without Swayze's presence.

'Don't you f***ing dare. You'll never replace Swayze,' one commenter insisted, as another predicted doom for the film, writing: 'Jennifer Grey back? Cool. Without Swayze? Flop incoming.'

Still, not everyone was entirely opposed to the idea.

'Honestly kind of excited but also nervous,' one fan admitted. 'Dirty Dancing is a classic - it's hard to touch that magic again. I just hope they respect the original and don't turn it into a cheap reboot.'

Another struck a more measured tone, calling Grey's return an 'iconic role' and describing the sequel as a 'bold move,' while adding they were 'curious to see where this goes.'

Others questioned whether the sequel was even necessary, pointing out that the franchise has already been revisited, with mixed results.

'We already had a Dirty Dancing 2,' one fan wrote, referencing Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, the 2004 sequel starring Diego Luna and Romola Garai.

'You mean Dirty Dancing 3?' another joked, while a third chimed in: 'There was already a Dirty Dancing 2…'

According to Lionsgate, producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will oversee the new feature, which is aiming to begin production later this year. 

Kim Rosenstock, known for Dying for Sex, has been tapped to write the screenplay.

Grey was previously announced as both executive producer and star, returning as Baby more than 35 years after the original film, which grossed over $200 million worldwide and became a defining love story of the late 1980s.

A director has not yet been announced. 

Jonathan Levine, who was once attached to helm the project, will now serve as an executive producer instead.

While details about the plot remain tightly under wraps, the backlash suggests the sequel will face intense scrutiny from fans who see the original as untouchable.