After 35 years, Beetlejuice is finally coming back on the big screen! The cult classic was released in 1988.
The original movie starred Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis, who played the role of a newly deceased couple who wants to haunt their home. They seek the help of an exorcist, Beetlejuice (played by Michael Keaton), to frighten away its new tenants.
The tenants in the original movie, the Deetzes, were played by Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O'Hara, and Winona Ryder.
Even though it has taken this long to create a sequel, it seems like the Tim Burton classic continues to be a favorite. And now that an official release date has been announced, we're eager to know who'll return in the sequel.
Here's what we know about the sequel right now:
Will Beetlejuice 2 Be Directed by Tim Burton Again?
Yes, Tim Burton will be directing Beetlejuice 2 once again.
In 2016, the director talked about his interest in doing the sequel with Collider:
"This is the thing, it’s something that I’m interested in. But the fact of it is I have talked to Michael and I have talked to Winona, I’ve talked to a few people. It’s something that I really would like to do in the right circumstances, but it’s one of those films where it has to be right. It’s not a kind of a movie that cries out [for a sequel], it’s not the Beetlejuice trilogy. So it’s something that if the elements are right – because I do love the character and Michael’s amazing as that character, so yeah we’ll see. But there’s nothing concrete yet."
Is Michael Keaton Going to Be Beetlejuice Again?
Yes, Michael Keaton will be returning in the sequel to reprise his iconic character, Beetlejuice.
In the past, there were unofficial reports that Johnny Depp would be portraying the role in a sequel. Even though this was never officially announced, fans were keen on the idea of Depp portraying this Burtonesque character.
And it's only natural that fans would consider Depp to play the role. After all, he has been part of many Tim Burton movies in the past.
So when the idea of a Beetlejuice sequel popped up, avid fans created fake trailers and movie posters. But again, nothing official has ever been announced.
Is Winona Ryder Returning in Beetlejuice 2?
Back in 2013, Winona Ryder showed interest in reprising her role in a Beetlejuice sequel. She previously told The Daily Beast that the film "sounds like it might be happening."
Although we don't know for sure what happened to the project, it was shelved in the meantime. Now that an official release date has been confirmed, Ryder has announced that she will also be returning as Lydia Deetz.
During the 2013 interview, Ryder explained that the film is "not a remake. It's 27 years later." The Stranger Things actress also shared:
"And I have to say, I love Lydia so much. She was such a huge part of me. I would be really interested in what she is doing 27 years later."
Ryder also shared that she "would never go near [a sequel]" if neither Burton nor Keaton were involved because "those guys, I love."
Who Else Stars in Beetlejuice 2?
When Beetlejuice 2 was announced, it was revealed that Jenna Ortega would be joining the cast as Ryder's daughter.
Another actor who was revealed to join the film is Justin Theroux. William Dafoe has also been confirmed to join the cast of Beetlejuice 2. He is portraying an afterlife officer.
Finally, Monica Bellucci is part of the cast as well. She has been cast as Beetlejuice's wife.
The addition of Ortega in Beetlejuice 2 will freshen up the story and draw in the Gen Z audience. Ortega is most famous for her portrayal of another iconic character, Wednesday Addams in Netflix's Wednesday series.
This is also the second time Ortega is working with Burton. Ortega told RadioTimes.com that the director "put me at ease" and "he was always interested in what I had to say or would always ask for my approval. I trust him completely."
Glenn Shadix, who played Otho in the original film, passed away in 2010. It is unclear whether his character will be recast in the sequel or will be skipped altogether.
The cast and crew are currently filming Beetlejuice 2. It will be coming out in theaters on September 6, 2024.
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