Over 35 years after the original cult classic, the ghost with the most, Beetlejuice, is making a grand return to the big screen in a highly anticipated sequel set to hit theaters in 2024.
Picking up years after the events of the 1988 original, Beetlejuice 2 will feature the long-awaited reunion of Michael Keaton in the title role, with rising star Jenna Ortega joining the cast as the new lead.
Directed by Tim Burton, who helmed the first Beetlejuice film, the sequel promises to deliver the same delightfully macabre humor and visually striking world-building that made the original such a beloved classic.
“Beetlejuice has always been one of my most iconic and enduring characters,” Keaton said in a recent interview. “The opportunity to revisit him and explore new facets of his mischievous personality was simply too good to pass up.”
In this next chapter, Keaton’s rambunctious, rule-breaking demon finds himself summoned back to the mortal world by a new young protagonist, played by Jenna Ortega. A teenage outcast struggling with the loss of her parents, Ortega’s character inadvertently unleashes Beetlejuice’s chaotic antics, setting the stage for a wild, supernatural adventure.
“My character is dealing with a lot of grief and isolation, and in her desperation, she ends up conjuring Beetlejuice,” Ortega explained. “Of course, that’s when all hell breaks loose – literally. But it’s also the start of this incredibly bizarre, darkly comedic journey of self-discovery for both of us.”
As the odd-couple pairing of Ortega’s morose teenager and Keaton’s mischievous demon navigate their increasingly perilous circumstances, the film will delve deeper into Beetlejuice’s backstory and the rules governing the afterlife he inhabits.
“There are so many unanswered questions and unexplored corners of Beetlejuice’s world,” Burton remarked. “This sequel gives us the chance to expand that mythology in delightfully twisted ways, while also crafting a meaningful story about the power of human connection, even in the most extraordinary of circumstances.”
In addition to the return of Keaton’s iconic character, Beetlejuice 2 will feature several other familiar faces from the original film, including Winona Ryder reprising her role as Lydia Deetz, the young woman who previously summoned Beetlejuice.
“Lydia has grown up, but she’s still very much haunted by her experiences with Beetlejuice,” Ryder teased. “Her involvement in this new story is going to be pivotal, both in terms of her own personal journey and the larger conflict brewing between the mortal and supernatural realms.”
With its blend of gothic horror, offbeat humor, and visually stunning production design, Beetlejuice 2 is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated fantasy/comedy films of 2024. Fans of the original, as well as newcomers to the franchise, are sure to be captivated by this next chapter in the adventures of the mischievous, outrageous demon known as Beetlejuice.
“At its core, Beetlejuice has always been about the power of the individual to overcome adversity and find their own unique path,” Burton concluded. “That’s a theme we’re really going to explore and expand upon in this new installment. Audiences are in for a wild, unforgettable ride.”
