- Primary Subject: Beetlejuice 3 / Beetlejuice Franchise
- Key Update: Screenwriters Al Gough and Miles Millar expressed strong hesitation about a third film following the passing of key cast member Catherine O’Hara.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: November 6, 2026
- Quick Answer: Beetlejuice 3 remains uncertain as writers and director Tim Burton express reluctance to move forward without the late Catherine O’Hara.
The story of Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) may not be over just yet, as screenwriters Al Gough and Miles Millar address the possibility of a third movie following Catherine O’Hara’s passing.
Playing Delia Deetz, O’Hara was one of the major figures in the iconic comedy horror franchise until her passing in January.
Now that one of the franchise's key cast members is gone, how could Beetlejuice 3 move forward without her?
Will There Be Beetlejuice 3?
Delia might have died accidentally in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice after being fatally bitten by two asps, but there may still be ways for her to return in a third film.
In the sequel, she wakes up in the afterlife's waiting room, where she learns from Lydia (Winona Ryder) and Astrid (Jenna Ortega) that she's already dead. There's good news, though: her death will make her eccentric artwork much more valuable.
She then heads toward the Soul Train and travels to the Great Beyond, where she happily reunites with her husband, Charles (played by Jeffrey Jones in the first film), although half of his torso and head are missing after a shark attack following the plane crash.
With Delia gone in the fictional world and Catherine O'Hara having passed away in real life, will there still be a Beetlejuice 3?
“You never say never, but that's really up to Tim,” Al Gough told ScreenRant, referring to director Tim Burton. “And I think with Catherine's passing, it's certainly harder. Yeah.”
Miles Millar, meanwhile, had a more straightforward response, expressing reluctance to make a third film without O'Hara.
“No, that's the answer. It's just [harder],” he stressed.
While the possibility of another installment hasn't been completely ruled out, O'Hara's absence presents a major challenge for the filmmakers, leaving the future of Beetlejuice 3 in Burton's hands.
What Did Tim Burton Say About Beetlejuice 3?
Though it took 35 years for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice to happen following the 1988 original, there's no denying that fans still love the franchise, as evidenced by its global box office success, earning around $451 million.
And by the looks of it, Warner Bros. wanted to capitalize on the franchise's success, with co-chairs and CEOs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy reportedly confirming a third film would move forward.
However, it looks like director Tim Burton, who helmed both the first and second films, isn't aware of those plans.
"Nobody told me. Maybe I've been replaced," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "It took 35 years to make the second one, so by that time I'll be 105. I know those odds are not good. I really, really enjoyed making this one, and [Warner Bros.] didn't even really want to do it."
The acclaimed filmmaker also recalled approaching the sequel the same way he worked on the first film, allowing the actors to improvise.
"It was beautiful to see some of the old cast and have Jenna," he continued. "But it's like trying to re-create the Wednesday dance scene. I love the characters, but I don't necessarily see it."
With Burton seemingly unsure about revisiting the franchise, the future of Beetlejuice 3 remains uncertain despite Warner Bros.' apparent interest in another installment.