Get ready to say his name three times, because the king of spooky is back! The long-awaited sequel to the iconic 1988 film, Beetlejuice, is finally hitting the big screen, and it’s bringing with it all the eerie, eccentric, and downright bizarre humor we’ve come to expect from Tim Burton.
The first teaser trailer dropped on March 21st, and it wasted no time in setting the tone. We’re introduced to Jenna Ortega, playing Lydia Deetz’s daughter, Astrid, as she cycles past Miss Shannon’s School for Girls, the ominous tune of a children’s choir singing “Day-O” playing in the background. We then see Ortega alongside returning favorites Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara, before she discovers a miniature model of Winter River in the attic. As she opens it, Michael Keaton’s skeletal Beetlejuice pops out, grinning and announcing, “The juice is loose.”
The first two official trailers delve even deeper into the freaky world of Beetlejuice, showcasing jump scares, fantastical costumes, and deranged dance sequences that promise a truly wild ride.
When Can We See Beetlejuice 2 in Cinemas?
Mark your calendars, because the Tim Burton-directed sequel, co-written by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the creators of Wednesday, is set to haunt cinemas on September 6th, 2024.
Who’s in the Cast?
Michael Keaton returns to reprise his iconic role as the mischievous ghost, Beetlejuice. He’s joined by Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara, once again playing Lydia and Delia Deetz. Jenna Ortega steps into the role of Lydia’s rebellious daughter, Astrid.
Adding to the star-studded lineup is Monica Bellucci as Beetlejuice’s ex-wife, Willem Dafoe as a “police officer in the afterlife and former B-movie action star,” Justin Theroux, Burn Gorman from Game of Thrones, and Arthur Conti from House of the Dragon.
What’s the Plot?
The synopsis for Beetlejuice 2 reads: “After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.”
Is Beetlejuice 2 a Musical?
While the movie won’t be a full-fledged musical, the trailers have hinted at some surreal dance sequences, so expect a few musical moments to add to the quirky atmosphere.
Delayed Production and the SAG-AFTRA Strike
The sequel has been in development for a long time, and after production finally began, it was paused over the summer of 2023 due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. However, with only two days of filming remaining, the production is expected to wrap up quickly after the strike ends.
Will Beetlejuice 2 Be Worth the Wait?
From the interviews with both Tim Burton and Michael Keaton, it seems like this sequel will be a wild, hilarious, and heartfelt experience. Burton described it as a return to the basics of filmmaking, focusing on working with talented actors, puppets, and creating a hand-crafted feel.
Keaton shared similar sentiments, stating that he wasn’t interested in using excessive technology and that the film would have a more handmade feel, reminding him of the joy of filmmaking. He also revealed that the sequel, while still visually exciting, delves into more emotional territory.
Jenna Ortega, who plays Astrid, described her character as a unique brand of “weird” compared to her mother, Lydia. She also mentioned the importance of Lydia and Astrid’s relationship, saying that it’s a lot of “catching up and putting the pieces together” of what’s happened in Lydia’s life since the original film.
More Beetlejuice in the Future?
Given the title of the sequel and the Beetlejuice universe’s rule of three, it’s highly likely that a third film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, is in the works. With the character’s enduring popularity, 36 years after his debut, it seems safe to say that the ghost with the most will be haunting our screens for a long time to come.
