Credit: Edited by Inside the MagicAre you ready to join your favorite bio-exorcist once more? Get ready because this is the final Beetlejuice filming update that you will hear.
Beetlejuice, a 1988 dark fantasy comedy directed by Tim Burton, follows the story of a recently deceased couple, Adam and Barbara Maitland, portrayed by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis, respectively. After becoming ghosts haunting their former home, they enlist the help of Beetlejuice, a zany and devious “bio-exorcist” from the Netherworld, played by Michael Keaton. The couple hopes to scare away the new inhabitants of their house.
The film, known for its unique blend of fantasy, horror, and comedy, proved to be a critical and commercial success. With a budget of $15 million, it grossed an impressive $74.7 million. Michael Keaton’s portrayal of the eccentric Beetlejuice received acclaim, contributing significantly to the film’s enduring popularity and its status as a cult classic. While Beetlejuice didn’t secure major awards, it left a lasting impact on popular culture and marked a pivotal moment in the careers of its cast, particularly Michael Keaton.
What no one expected was that the fandom of the film would become so incredibly large and popular for decades to come. Now, years later, new generations have been introduced to our favorite green ghost from the underworld. The popularity of the film has even had the IP used in theme parks. One of the more popular Halloween Horror Nights houses at Universal Orlando Resort in 2021 was a Beetlejuice house. While there was nothing new being added to the story or IP, there were still thousands who wanted to enter the home each night, boasting multi-hour waits.
On top of that, for years, Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue was a live stage show that was part of the entertainment offerings at Universal Studios Florida. The show featured characters from Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice film and offered a unique and comedic musical performance.
The storyline typically involved Beetlejuice, the mischievous and charismatic “bio-exorcist” from the Netherworld, hosting a rock ‘n’ roll revue in the graveyard. The show incorporated various classic and contemporary songs, often with a humorous and spooky twist, and featured characters like Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein, and the Mummy. The movie even made it to Broadway, and Beetlejuice: The Musical is currently on a global tour.
Considering the film had not been touched since 1988, seeing so much prominence within the IP as of late made it clear a second Beetlejuice had to be made.
Michael Keaton reprises his role as the undead antagonist Beetlejuice in the upcoming film Beetlejuice 2. Keaton won’t be the only original cast member making a return; Winona Ryder is set to reprise her role as Lydia Deetz, now a mother, with Jenna Ortega (Wednesday) playing her daughter. The film will also see the return of Catherine O’Hara as Delia Deetz, Lydia’s mother. Joining the cast are Monica Bellucci as Beetlejuice’s yet-to-be-named wife and Justin Theroux in an undisclosed role. Notably, Willem Dafoe will play an afterlife detective who, in his mortal life, worked as a B-movie action star.
Details about the plot of Beetlejuice 2 remain largely undisclosed, but some intriguing hints have emerged. In July 2023, exclusive photos showcased stars Jenna Ortega and Winona Ryder in costume. Ortega donned a white wedding dress with distinctive pinkish-red tulle accents, reminiscent of Lydia’s iconic red dress from the original film. Ryder appeared in a body-obscuring black coat, potentially part of her character’s costume, while maintaining the classic spiked bangs. While the specifics are unclear, the presence of wedding attire suggests a significant role in the storyline.
Additionally, it’s confirmed that Beetlejuice 2 will maintain the bizarre, irreverent, and humorous spirit of the first movie.
In a recent interview, Variety shared what Keaton thought of the sequel, “Beetlejuice is the most fuckin’ fun you can have working,” Keaton said. “It’s so fun, it’s so great. And you know what it is? We’re doing it exactly like we did the first movie. There’s a woman in the great waiting room for the afterlife literally with a fishing line – I want people to know this because I love it – tugging on the tail of a cat to make it move.”
He continued, “It has to be done as close to the way we made it the first time. Making stuff up, making stuff happen, improvising and riffing, but literally handmade stuff like people creating things with their hands and building something. Fuckin’ great. It’s the most fun I’ve had working on a movie in, I can’t tell you how long.”
While Beetlejuice 2 was destined for greatness, the film did hit a major snag when the SAG-AFTRA strike began. Tim Burton had noted that the film was nearly complete when they were shut down, “I feel grateful we got what we got,” Burton said. “Literally, it was a day and a half. We know what we have to do. It is 99 percent done.”
Now that the strike has been lifted, Beetlejuice went right back into filming, and now, Burton has broken his silence, announcing that the movie is complete. He posted a photo of what appears to be the set of the Netherworld, stating, “Just finished shooting Beetlejuice. Thank you to everyone involved.”
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Beetlejuice 2 is set to debut on September 6, 2024!
Will you be watching Beetlejuice 2 when it debuts?