Jenna Ortega and Tim Burton have become nearly synonymous with each other, thanks to their collaboration on Netflix’s Wednesday and the upcoming Beetlejuice 2 (titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice), which is set to be released this week.
Their partnership has brought an exciting new dynamic to Burton’s signature dark, gothic style, with Ortega emerging as one of Hollywood’s brightest young stars. However, their road to becoming frequent collaborators wasn’t always smooth. In fact, there was a moment in their early professional relationship that left Ortega feeling disappointed and “gutted.”
Ortega’s portrayal of Wednesday Addams in Burton’s Wednesday has solidified her status as a perfect fit for the director’s macabre, whimsical universe.
The series quickly became a hit upon its release in 2022, with Ortega receiving widespread praise for her deadpan performance, perfectly complementing Burton’s eerie aesthetic. The show was not only a commercial success, but it also reintroduced The Addams Family to a new generation, creating a pop culture sensation that put both Ortega and Burton at the forefront of the entertainment conversation.
The success of Wednesday naturally led to speculation about Ortega’s future with Burton, and fans were thrilled when it was announced that she would be starring in Beetlejuice 2.
Burton, known for his long-standing relationships with actors like Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, seemed to have found a new muse in Ortega. Playing the daughter of Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder’s character from the original Beetlejuice), Ortega is set to bring her signature quirkiness to the highly anticipated sequel, which has been years in the making.
While the collaboration between Ortega and Burton seems like a match made in heaven now, their early interactions weren’t always so aligned.
In a recent interview, Ortega revealed that she was once considered for a role in one of Burton’s earlier films, Dumbo (2019), but she didn’t make the final cut. Reflecting on that experience, Ortega shared how devastated she was when she found out she wouldn’t be part of the project, describing herself as “gutted.”
“l remember Dumbo being one that for weeks, I was just gutted, and I thought, ‘Oh, what if I never get the opportunity to work with him again?’,” she said.
As a longtime admirer of Burton’s work, missing out on the opportunity to star in Dumbo was a major disappointment for the young actress.
In her own words, Ortega admitted that being passed over for the Dumbo role felt like a personal setback.
She had grown up watching and admiring Burton’s films, so the chance to work with him on such a major production was a dream come true—until it wasn’t.
This rejection, however, would not define her relationship with the iconic director. While she was understandably heartbroken at the time, Ortega has since used that moment as fuel to push herself further in her career.
The twist of fate that led Ortega to Wednesday and, ultimately, Beetlejuice 2 speaks to the unpredictable nature of Hollywood.
It also highlights how timing is everything. At the time of Dumbo, Ortega’s career was still on the rise, and perhaps she wasn’t quite the fit Burton was looking for. But just a few years later, their collaboration on Wednesday proved that Ortega was more than ready to take on a lead role in one of his projects.
Since her initial disappointment, Ortega has expressed nothing but gratitude for the opportunity to finally work with Burton on Wednesday and Beetlejuice 2.
Burton himself has also spoken highly of Ortega, praising her dedication to her craft and her unique ability to bring depth to darker characters. His casting of Ortega in Beetlejuice 2 seems to be a natural progression after the success of Wednesday.
With the film’s release just around the corner, fans are eagerly awaiting to see how Ortega will embody her role in the continuation of the beloved 1988 classic.
Beetlejuice 2, which also stars Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder, marks the latest chapter in a series of projects that have pushed both Ortega and Burton to new creative heights.
For Burton, this film represents a return to one of his most iconic worlds, while for Ortega, it serves as another opportunity to cement her place in the director’s darkly whimsical universe.
The film promises to showcase the signature Burton elements that fans have come to love—offbeat humor, otherworldly visuals, and a quirky ensemble cast—while giving Ortega the chance to further explore her talents in the realm of the supernatural.
The road from being “gutted” by a rejection to becoming one of Tim Burton’s go-to collaborators is a testament to Jenna Ortega’s resilience and determination. She has turned a professional setback into a stepping stone, proving that sometimes, rejection can lead to even greater opportunities.
Her growth as an actress, paired with Burton’s seasoned directorial vision, has created a powerful partnership that fans are excited to witness unfold further in Beetlejuice 2.
As the release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice draws near, anticipation is at an all-time high. The film has all the elements of a Burton classic, with a fresh twist provided by Ortega’s undeniable charisma and talent.
Though their journey together may have had its ups and downs, it’s clear that Ortega and Burton are now firmly united as a creative force. This week’s release will undoubtedly be another milestone in what is shaping up to be a long and fruitful collaboration between the two.