Beetlejuice
2, the highly anticipated American fantasy comedy film, is currently in the
works and set to be directed by the legendary filmmaker Tim Burton. The
screenplay for this sequel is being crafted by the talented writing duo of
Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, with its story originating from the creative
mind of Seth Grahame-Smith. The movie serves as a follow-up to the 1988
classic, "Beetlejuice," and features a star-studded cast including
Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci,
and Willem Dafoe.
Scheduled
for theatrical release on September 6, 2024, by Warner Bros. Pictures,
"Beetlejuice 2" has been a long time coming, with its development
history spanning several decades.
In the early 1990s, Tim Burton initially explored the idea of a sequel titled "Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian," a concept that blended the unlikely combination of a Hawaiian setting with German Expressionism. The story revolved around the Deetz family relocating to Hawaii, where they unwittingly disturb the burial grounds of an ancient Hawaiian Kahuna. This disturbance leads to supernatural shenanigans, including Beetlejuice's involvement in a magical surf contest. Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder expressed interest in the project, but it was postponed due to other commitments, including Burton's involvement in "Batman Returns."
The
desire for a Beetlejuice sequel remained, and various writers were considered
for the project over the years. However, it wasn't until 2011 that Warner Bros.
hired Seth Grahame-Smith to write and produce the sequel, emphasizing the
importance of crafting a story that lived up to the original, rather than a
cash-grab reboot. Both Keaton and Ryder expressed their willingness to return
to their iconic roles.
In
the following years, discussions surrounding the sequel continued, with Winona
Ryder's interest in reprising her character, Lydia Deetz, and Tim Burton's
longing to work with Michael Keaton on the project. The script was finalized in
early 2015, and the prospect of a sequel seemed promising. However, the project
faced multiple delays and was even declared shelved by Warner Bros. in April
2019.
Nevertheless,
in February 2022, the sequel was resurrected, with production involving Brad
Pitt's Plan B Entertainment and Warner Bros. Burton initially distanced himself
from the project but later returned as the director, stating his desire to
focus on collaborating with talented actors and puppets to capture the essence
of what he loves about filmmaking.
As
of March 2023, new developments include Jenna Ortega potentially playing
Lydia's daughter, the return of Danny Elfman to compose the score, and the
addition of Justin Theroux and Willem Dafoe to the cast. Catherine O'Hara
reprises her role as Delia Deetz, and Monica Bellucci joins the cast as
Beetlejuice's wife. Colleen Atwood, known for her collaborations with Burton,
is responsible for costume design, with Betelgeuse's iconic striped suit making
a return.
Filming,
originally scheduled for mid-2022, was delayed to May 10, 2023, due to concerns
about the 2023 WGA strike. Production officially commenced on that date. Some
scenes have been filmed in the United Kingdom and Vermont. Although a strike
temporarily suspended filming in July, Burton has stated that the film is nearly
complete, requiring only a short amount of additional work to wrap it up.
The
eagerly awaited "Beetlejuice 2" promises to deliver a delightful
blend of fantasy and comedy while reuniting fans with beloved characters from
the original film, making it a highly anticipated cinematic experience.
Cast
- Michael Keaton as Betelgeuse
- Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz
- Catherine O'Hara as Delia Deetz
- Jenna Ortega as Lydia Deetz's daughter
- Monica Bellucci as Betelgeuse's wife
- Additionally, Justin Theroux and Willem Dafoe have been cast in undisclosed roles.
Release Date
Beetlejuice 2, the much-anticipated sequel, is gearing up for its theatrical debut, initially scheduled for September 6, 2024, under the banner of Warner Bros. Pictures. However, there has been a significant twist in the tale. According to a report from Variety on October 24, 2023, Warner Bros. is facing a dilemma due to the ongoing 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The strike has thrown a wrench in their plans, leading to contemplation of a potential delay for Beetlejuice 2's release, possibly pushing it to the year 2025, in conjunction with the film "Alto Knights." This unforeseen turn of events has left both fans and the industry eagerly awaiting further updates on the fate of this long-awaited sequel.
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