Michael Keaton, the enigmatic and beloved actor who brought Beetlejuice to life in the 1988 cult classic, is back for a spooky sequel, ‘Beetlejuice 2’. While Keaton was thrilled to reprise his role, he had a specific goal in mind: to prevent Beetlejuice from overshadowing the narrative.
In a recent interview with US GQ, Keaton shared his thoughts on the character’s presence in the sequel. He expressed a desire for Beetlejuice to be a part of the story rather than dictating it. He stated, “I didn’t want Beetlejuice to run the show the same way he did in the first film. I felt it would ruin the film.” This decision was made not out of a desire to conform to modern sensibilities, but rather to retain the character’s essence.
The original ‘Beetlejuice’ saw the mischievous bio-exorcist making a memorable yet brief appearance in the last 17 minutes, leaving a lasting impression on viewers. Keaton acknowledges that societal norms have shifted since the first film’s release, but he believes that Beetlejuice’s timeless nature transcends such changes. “The Beetlejuice who was portrayed as a depraved weirdo in 1988 is still a depraved weirdo in today’s world with more knowledge. He is not a ‘he’ or a ‘she’ but a ‘that’. I’m not saying this out of social justice, but it’s how I see him. So yes, he has a strong, masculine energy, but I like that foolish masculine energy. I didn’t want to change him, thinking, ‘It’s a new era, we should behave this way now.'”
‘Beetlejuice 2’ will feature the return of Winona Ryder as Lydia and Catherine O’Hara. New additions to the cast include Jenna Ortega as Lydia’s daughter, Astrid, and Monica Bellucci as Beetlejuice’s ex-wife, Dolores. This highly anticipated sequel promises a blend of familiar charm and fresh elements as it dives back into the macabre world of Beetlejuice.
