Michael Keaton Says Making ‘Beetlejuice 2’ Is ‘The Most Fun’ He’s Had In a Long Time

We’ve said his name too many times and now, Beetlejuice is returning to theaters. After nearly three decades, the Beetlejuice franchise has finally confirmed a sequel that will be coming to theaters with an expected opening date of September 4, 2024. Beetlejuice 2 is set to see the return of multiple cast members, and we’re hoping the film holds its original, dark charm.

The original Beetlejuice was a smash

The first Beetlejuice was released in 1988, featuring a hit cast including Michael Keaton as the titular character, Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis as two newly deceased ghosts, and Winona Ryder in her third-ever screen appearance. Additionally, the role of stepmother Delia Deetz served as Catherine O’Hara’s breakout role.

The talented cast had a big impact on the film’s success, and Tim Burton’s unique, dark comedy was a hit with audiences. The film grossed an impressive $74.5 million worldwide, won the Academy Award for Best Makeup, and received five other Oscar nominations in addition to many other awards. It was such a massive success that it inspired a Tony-nominated Broadway musical.

A follow-up film has been rumored for years

For decades, fans have been wondering if a sequel to Beetlejuice would ever come. Fans who loved the original craved more, and there were also several indications from people involved in the film that there may be some substance to the idea of another chapter.

As early as 2013, Keaton and Burton hinted that there was the possibility of a sequel in the future. This was later reinforced in 2016 when Ryder spoke with CNN about a sequel, saying, “I think it would be great if it happened, if it was the right circumstances.”

Some of the same cast has been confirmed

Possibly the most exciting part of the Beetlejuice 2 news is that multiple members of the original cast will be making an appearance in their same roles. Keaton will return as the titular character, something that fans have been dreaming of for years. Ryder is set to reprise her iconic role as Lydia Deetz, and Catherine O’Hara will return as Lydia’s mother Delia Deetz.

In addition to the original cast, fans can expect to see some new faces. One of these is Jenna Ortega, star of the new Netflix series, Wednesday, who will play the daughter of Ryder’s character.

Monica Bellucci (The Passion of the Christ, Spectre) will play Beetlejuice’s wife. Additionally, Justin Theroux is set to appear in the film, however, his role has yet to be announced.

Keaton says the movie has been a blast to make

Many fans consider Michael Keaton and Tim Burton to be an unbeatable combination. Their collaboration on the first Beetlejuice left audiences wanting more, and now that a sequel is actually happening, Keaton confirms that working with Burton is as fun as it looks.

In a recent interview with Empire Magazine, Keaton praised the project’s “handmade” nature and said “Beetlejuice is the most [expletive] fun you can have working. 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.”

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He also revealed that it took a while for all the right elements to come together before they’d make the sequel. “[Burton] and I were talking about it years and years ago, never telling anybody. I said, ‘if it happens, first of all, we’ve both said we’re doing it many times. We both agreed, if it happens, it has to be done as close to the way we made it the first time,” Keaton said. “It’s the most fun I’ve had working on a movie in I can’t tell you how long.”