Beetlejuice 2 is finally happening!
A sequel to the iconic 1988 film has been in talks for 33 years. Rumblings began in 1990 when director Tim Burton teased a sequel called Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian, helmed by writer Jonathan Gems. It got stuck in development hell, however, and never got off the ground. Even in the 2010s, Winona Ryder spoke frequently about the sequel being in the works, but nothing materialized past that point. Fortunately, the time has arrived for longtime fans to get the sequel they deserve.
In the original film, Barbara and Adam — played by Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin — die in a car accident and must inhabit their gothic estate for all of eternity. When the Deetz family — Charles (Jeffrey Jones), his wife Delia (Catherine O'Hara), and his goth daughter Lydia (Ryder) — move in, Barbara and Adam, now translucent spectators, attempt to scare away the new tenants. Their spooky antics do little to deter the family, so Barbara and Adam call upon another, the Ghost with the Most, to help them. When they summon Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) from the beyond to frighten the family, it's the most wonderful kind of chaos. Burton delivers some of the most iconic imagery ever put into a horror/comedy. Who doesn't love that iconic dinner scene?
With Beetlejuice 2 coming next fall, we have collected all the info we know so far about the film, from the release date to plot details.
Who's Starring in Beetlejuice 2?
Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice
Warner Bros./ Lionel Hahn/Getty Images
Golden Globe-winning actor Michael Keaton (Birdman, Dopesick) will reprise his role as the delightfully vile Beetlejuice.
In a conversation with Deadline, Danny Elfman spoke about Michael Keaton's second outing as the film's titular character. "Everybody else has to play the next generation, except for Michael," he said. "I mean, he's still like really fit and really active and really on it. And with the Beetlejuice makeup, I can't even imagine it's going to look like he's changed practically at all. So, I can't wait for that."
Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz
Warner Bros./ Arturo Holmes/WireImage
Say it with us: "I myself am ... strange and unusual." Hollywood icon Winona Ryder (Heathers, Edward Scissorhands, Stranger Things) will return as everyone's favorite goth, Lydia Deetz.
Catherine O'Hara as Delia Deetz
Warner Bros/ Jeremy Chan/Getty Images
Comedic legend Catherine O'Hara (Home Alone, Schitt's Creek) is back again as Lydia Deetz's stepmother and designer extraordinaire, Delia Deetz.
Jenna Ortega
Cindy Ord/MG23/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Known for her breakout roles in Scream (2022) and X and the hit Netflix series Wednesday, Jenna Ortega joins the cast as Lydia's daughter.
Other fresh faces include Willem Dafoe (as a police officer in the afterlife), Justin Theroux (in an undisclosed role) and Monica Bellucci (as Beetlejuice's wife). Filipe Cates also stars, but his role has yet to be revealed.
What is Beetlejuice 2 About?
While general plot details remain under wraps, it's safe to assume the Deetz family will once again take center stage, with the focus likely honing in on Ortega's character. In a surprising twist, there is photo evidence that Ortega's character is possibly getting married. She's seen in a white satin gown and seemingly exchanging wedding vows with Cates' character. Lydia was also present to witness the ceremony.
During an Empire event, Keaton opened up about the film and what fans can expect. "We're doing it exactly like we did the first movie," he said. "We've both said we're doing it many times. We both agreed, if it happens, it has to be done as close to the way we made it the first time. Making stuff up, making stuff happen, improvising and riffing, but literally handmade stuff like people creating things with their hands and building something."
Who's Directing Beetlejuice 2?
Julien Hekimian/Getty Images
Burton will direct from a screenplay penned by writing team Alfred Gough and Miles Millar — best known for co-creating Netflix's hit TV series Wednesday and co-writing such films as Spider-Man 2 and Shanghai Noon. The script is based on a story by Seth Grahame-Smith, whose book credits include Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter.
Way back in 2012, Grahame-Smith spoke with Collider about his ideas for the film. Of course, take it with a grain of salt; so much can change in a decade. "The thing that Tim and Michael and I all agree on, and is most important for me is, I don't want to be the guy that destroys the legacy and the memory of the first film; I would rather die," he said. "I would rather just not make it, I'd rather just throw the whole thing away than make something that pays no respect and doesn't live up even close to the legacy of the first film."
Elfman, who composed the 1988 original film, will take another stab at the musical score. A frequent Burton collaborator, Elfman has worked on such Burton-helmed projects as Wednesday, Edward Scissorhands and Batman (1989).
Beetlejuice 2 (filmed in Hertfordshire, England) is being produced by Brad Pitt's production company, Plan B. The company's many projects include Minari and Netflix's controversial Blonde, starring Ana de Armas.
Release Date
Warner Bros. is scheduled to release the film on Sept. 6, 2024.
How to Watch
Beetlejuice 2 will initially hit theaters before arriving on VOD 45 days later. There is yet to be an announcement on potential streaming access, but signs point to a MAX release.
