Somehow I missed the “years of speculation” on this but apparently we have all been wondering if there will be a Beetlejuice sequel. And the answer is now, “yes,” because Warner Bros. has secured a release date and some of the former cast to attach to the project. Betelgeuse himself, Michael Keaton, and Lydia Deet, Winona Ryder, are returning. Joining them are Justin Theroux as anyone’s guess and Jenna Ortega as Lydia’s daughter. Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, and Catherine O’Hara have not been confirmed. Jeffrey Jones (Lydia’s dad) was arrested for child pornography so hopefully he’s not welcome, and sadly Glen Shadix, who played Otto, passed away in 2010.
After years of speculation that Tim Burton’s beloved 1988 comedy “Beetlejuice” will get a sequel, it seems it will finally happen.
Warner Bros. announced that “Beetlejuice 2” will be released on the big screen on Sept. 6, 2024, per Variety. Although the information on the project is as scarce as Lydia Deet’s will to be among the living, Variety did have a few more details about the cast. Michael Keaton will reprise his role as the troublemaking poltergeist Beetlejuice and Winona Ryder will return as Lydia Deetz. In addition, Jenna Ortega will join the cast as Lydia’s daughter, while Justin Theroux will also be in the film playing a yet-to-be-revealed role.
Deadline reports that filming for the movie begins May 10 in London. There’s no word yet as to Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis returning as the loveable yet naive ghosts Adam and Barbara or if “Schitt’s Creek” alum Catherine O’Hara will reprise her role as Della. We also do not know if we will get any Harry Belafonte needle drops.
My guess is that Justin will fill the hole for Otto, as if anyone could. I have no idea what this sequel will look like. When last we left Betelgeuse, he’d had his head shrunk in the Netherworld waiting room. So he’ll have to grift his way out of that and get Jenna to release him into the modern world once again. This is just my theory. There is little reason for Catherine O’Hara to return, to be honest. Maybe a cameo but without Lydia’s father (who I assume they will kill off) and Otto, Delia doesn’t make a lot of sense. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love Catherine to return – I want her in everything – but she doesn’t have to. Alec and Geena, though, that’s an interesting call. Without Betelgeuse in some part I don’t think the sequel would work. Adam and Barbara, though, are totally dependent on the direction of the film. I am much more concerned with whether I could buy that they would like each other all these years later. I doubt Alec and Geena could be in a room for five minutes, let alone film together.
The real coup here is Jenna Ortega. Without knowing a thing about this film, I can say, unreservedly, she’s perfect. As soon as I saw the news, I felt that way. And I didn’t need to read she was Lydia’s daughter to know she was Lydia’s daughter. Bringing Winona and Jenna together is going to unite Gen X and Gen Z in a beautiful confluence that might just save the world.
As for whether we need a Beetlejuice sequel, eh. Of all the films out there that they could do a clever sequel, this is one that could handle it. I’m not say they will, just that they could. That’s if they meet WGA’s conditions and end the strike so talented people handle the script, of course.
Photo credit: Cover Images and Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon
The only reason we’re getting this is because of Jenna. Tim Button asked her to star and the project was green lit due to HER popularity. The kids dgaf about Beetlejuice but they will show up for Jenna.
About every 10 ir so years they make a new Beetlejuice cartoon. Sometimes it an old cartoon with a new introduction. I agree they are actually making a new feature film because Burton found Ortega.
I have no problem with that as a justification. She’s the newest Winona Ryder/Christina Ricci. I wish we had more of them. ETA: More sassy young people promoting individual identities in well written roles that appeal to all ages, across all ethnic and gender identities. I realize the three afore mentioned, while different ethnic identities all have a similar look, but that’s not what I’m referring to.
I love Beetlejuice. Coincidentally, I just watched it the other night and I’m going to see the musical in a few weeks. That being said. WHY? In regards to a sequel. It’s actually been stuck in development hell for decades because there wasn’t enough interest.
Obviously it’s just a cash grab for the studio to capitalize on the success of the Broadway show and Ortega’s popularity. Oh and to keep Tim Burton relevant.
Keaton’s over 70 now but he’ll be in makeup. If Baldwin and Davis return, will the budget be big enough to de-age them decently? Especially for Baldwin as he looks nothing like he did back then.
Alex Brightman MADE the musical. He was phenomenal!
came to say the Broadway show was shockingly great. I was curious to see how the movie would translate onto Broadway and it was well done.
There really isn’t a huge need for Lydia’s parents to be in it. They were mostly just comic relief in the original. It would be great to see Catherine O’hara reprise her roll, but let’s be honest she already did that in Schitt’s Creek. Would love to see Gina Davis, though. I miss her. Anyway, since this isn’t a remake of a beloved classic, and a sequel doesn’t ruin anything in a story that’s not at all plot driven, I’m looking forward to it. Let’s just not have a new series, action figures, a prequel, and webisodes, if that would be alright.
Rumor is Johnny Depp is going to play Lidia’s daughter’s dad…bringing Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder together again. Ugh.
Ugh I hope it’s just a rumour.
I hope not – Burton hasn’t worked with Depp since Dark Shadows and well am not sure it would be commercially successful if Depp got a role. Even bringing Baldwin back would be a bad move.
Also, Glen Shadix’s character was “Otho”, not “Otto”.
I love how we’ve come full circle. I remember seeing an interview with Christina Ricci where she said someone (her mother I think?) told her to act like Winona Ryder in Beetlejuice for her Wednesday Addams audition. Now Jenna’s playing her daughter! I hope this catches the right vibe and doesn’t spoil the fun. I recently rewatched the original and was amazed by how well it has held up!
This pleases me no end – LOVED the original. The dance scene at the dinner table still cracks me up.
Ortega will be great for the role – seems she’s become Burton’s new muse as he’s directing this one.
How does this work with the WGA strike? Script is already written so they can use it, but not make any changes?
There are a ton of workarounds for this – the script was also done and signatory pre strike. The writer is not WGA (yes, there are tons of those), the movie is shooting in London, which isn’t monitored by WGA, as that’s an American union, etc.
If they’re shooting now, they would have submitted all paperwork before the strike and are clear to start production.