1
Credit: Marvel Studios/Sony PicturesBeetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! Get ready to say your favorite demon’s name three times because new and very deadly information has just been revealed regarding the upcoming Tim Burton sequel, Beetlejuice 2.
Released in 1988, Beetlejuice is an American fantasy horror comedy film directed by Tim Burton, and soon the extension of the story will come to life.
The screenplay, crafted by Michael McDowell, Warren Skaaren, and Larry Wilson, is brought to life by The Geffen Company, distributed by Warner Bros., and features a star-studded cast including Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, and Michael Keaton, who portrays the eponymous character.
The narrative centers on a recently deceased couple who, now as ghosts haunting their former residence, enlist the services of Beetlejuice—a boisterous and cunning “bio-exorcist” from the Netherworld—to frighten away the new occupants of their home.
Widely acclaimed, Beetlejuice achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success, amassing $74.7 million in box office revenue against a budget of $15 million.
The much-anticipated sequel, Beetlejuice 2, set decades after the original, has been heavily promoted with Jenna Ortega (playing Wednesday) positioned as the thematic core of the film. While Michael Keaton reprises his role as the irreverent ghost, Burton has underscored that Ortega is the true focal point of the story.
Beetlejuice 2 not only sees Jenna Ortega as the daughter of Lydia Deetz (reprised by Winona Ryder), who becomes the target of the bio-exorcist ghost Betelgeuse, but it also incorporates a generational transference with Michael Keaton reprising his role. Alongside Ryder and Keaton, Catherine O’Hara returns as Delia Deetz.
The sequel introduces new characters portrayed by Willem Dafoe, Justin Theroux, and Monica Bellucci, adding fresh dynamics to the beloved Beetlejuice universe.
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice 2 commenced production in May but faced an interruption on July 14th due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, as disclosed in an enlightening interview with The Independent.
Burton conveyed his frustration, noting that the filming was “less than two days away from completion” for the much-anticipated film.
Recent reports indicate that production on the film has now successfully wrapped up.
Confirmation came from the town of Melrose, Massachusetts, where the project was underway earlier in the year. Observers noted the presence of “crews, cables, and production trucks,” signalling the impending completion of filming by the end of the week, according to WBZ.
Scheduled for release in the coming September, Burton had previously expressed optimism about concluding the film once the actors’ strike was resolved. Reflecting on the challenges, he remarked, “I feel grateful we got what we got. Literally, it was a day and a half. We know what we have to do. It is 99 per cent done.”
Burton expressed a sense of renewal in creating the “Beetlejuice” sequel in comparison to Disney films he has worked on as of late.
Tim Burton is a renowned filmmaker known for his distinctive visual style and dark, whimsical storytelling. Below, is a list of multiple films that the Nightmare Before Christmas director has taken part of.
- Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
- Batman (1989)
- Edward Scissorhands (1990)
- Batman Returns (1992)
- Ed Wood (1994)
- Mars Attacks! (1996)
- Sleepy Hollow (1999)
- Planet of the Apes (2001)
- Big Fish (2003)
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
- Corpse Bride (2005)
These films showcase Burton’s unique blend of dark fantasy, quirky characters, and gothic aesthetics, establishing him as one of the most distinctive directors in Hollywood. Because of this, the return of Beetlejuice has been a big deal for Burton’s fans.
As we noted earlier, Willem Dafoe will be in the film as an all-new character.
Willem Dafoe’s illustrious acting career is marked by a remarkable range and a penchant for taking on challenging and diverse roles. Known for his distinctive features and intense performances, Dafoe has left an indelible mark on cinema.
His breakthrough role in Platoon (1986), directed by Oliver Stone, earned him his first Academy Award nomination. Dafoe’s collaboration with director Martin Scorsese in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) showcased his ability to delve into complex characters. He further demonstrated his versatility in films like Shadow of the Vampire (2000), portraying a fictionalized version of Max Schreck, and in The Florida Project (2017), where he received another Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of a compassionate motel manager.
His foray into superhero films with Spider-Man (2002) and Aquaman (2018) underscored his ability to seamlessly transition between genres. He returned as the Green Goblin in Marvel’s Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). Dafoe’s role in At Eternity’s Gate (2018) as Vincent van Gogh earned him critical acclaim and his fourth Academy Award nomination.
In a recent interview with Variety, the Hollywood star opened up about his role in Beetlejuice 2, stating “it was fun to do”.
“I play a police officer in the afterlife, so I’m a dead person. And in life I was a B-movie action star, but I had an accident and that’s what sent me to the other side. But because of my skills, I became a detective character in the afterlife. So that’s my job. But it’s colored by the fact of who I was [when I was alive]: a B movie action star.”
At the moment, Beetlejuice 2 is set to debut on September 6, 2024.
Are you looking forward to watching Beetlejuice 2?