Reviving a Cult Classic: The Long-Awaited Return of Beetlejuice

It's been quite a journey to bring Beetlejuice 2 to the big screen. The sequel has been eagerly anticipated and required the efforts of numerous people. Alongside actor Michael Keaton and director Tim Burton, who crafted a plan for the follow-up, star Winona Ryder has shared that she too played an active role in getting the project moving by having clandestine discussions with Burton.

Ryder disclosed in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar that she had many secret meetings with Burton without her agents’ knowledge, working behind the scenes for years to gain approval for the sequel. Burton had been brainstorming many different concepts, one of which included "Beetlejuice Goes to Outer Space," as he confirmed later in the interview.

Ultimately, the hard work paid off. Over 40 years after the original horror-comedy classic premiered, Ryder and Keaton are set to reprise their roles as Lydia Deetz and Beetlejuice for the sequel. However, securing the green light for the new film wasn’t straightforward. Keaton, having given his endorsement to the movie, confessed to People that he initially had some doubts. He said they were careful to ensure they got it right, and admitted he felt hesitant and cautious. Yet, those doubts dissolved once filming began.

Named Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the sequel revisits the Deetz family as The Ghost with the Most risks being summoned again, this time by Lydia’s daughter, Astrid Deetz, played by Jenna Ortega of Wednesday fame. According to the official synopsis, trouble looms in both worlds, and it’s only a matter of time before Beetlejuice’s name is said three times, bringing the mischievous spirit back to deliver his unique brand of chaos.

Besides Ryder and Keaton, Catherine O’Hara returns as Delia Deetz, while new additions include Willem Dafoe from Poor Things, Justin Theroux from Mulholland Drive, and Monica Bellucci from The Matrix, who will portray Beetlejuice’s wife.

The sequel to Beetlejuice is scheduled for a theatrical release on September 6, 2024. For more information, keep an eye on all the upcoming horror movies, or stay updated with the list of 2024 movie release dates.