The winding streets of Winter River are about to be taken over by the most notorious and ill-behaved ghost of all time, Michael Keaton’s beloved miscreant Beetlejuice. After a 36-year wait, Keaton and director Tim Burton are teaming up once again to bring back the character who has been stuck in the afterlife’s waiting room. The sequel, simply titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, picks up where the original left off, with the Deetz family returning to their home in Winter River, unaware that their presence will set the stage for Beetlejuice’s return to the land of the living.
According to Burton, Beetlejuice remains as “politically incorrect” as ever, showcasing the character’s crude and womanizing tendencies that made him a fan favorite in the original film. Despite the character’s evolution in spin-offs and adaptations, Burton and Keaton remained committed to preserving Beetlejuice’s sleazy persona. In fact, Keaton believes that the character’s lack of evolution is a key aspect of his charm. “He doesn’t evolve – that’s the whole point!” Keaton joked during a roundtable discussion.
The sequel promises to stay true to the original’s formula, focusing on practical effects and stop-motion to recreate the film’s signature handmade feel. The iconic “Day-O” song returns, and fans will be delighted to see the cast reunite, including Winona Ryder as Lydia, Catherine O’Hara as Delia Deetz, and new additions such as Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, and Burn Gorman. Danny DeVito was spotted in the trailer as a dead janitor, hinting at potential surprises to come.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice arrives in theaters on September 6, promising to deliver more of the same macabre humor and supernatural antics that made the original a classic. With Keaton and Burton at the helm, fans of the franchise can rest assured that the sequel will stay true to the spirit of the original, delivering a spooky and uproarious adventure that will leave audiences in stitches.