Tim Burton has made it clear that "Beetlejuice 2" would only become a reality with Michael Keaton reprising his iconic role as the mischievous bio-exorcist. Keaton himself has expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating in March 2014 that "Beetlejuice 2" is the sole sequel he's interested in pursuing.
This highlights the deep connection both Burton and Keaton have to the original "Beetlejuice" and their shared desire to revisit this beloved character and world.
The enduring legacy of "Beetlejuice" extends beyond the silver screen, touching the lives of its cast even after their passing. Glenn Shadix, who memorably portrayed the flamboyant interior designer Otho, was so deeply connected to his role that he requested "The Banana Boat Song," featured in the film's iconic funeral scene, be played at his own funeral. This poignant detail adds another layer of depth to the upcoming "Beetlejuice 2," reminding us of the film's lasting impact and the indelible mark it left on those involved.
The echo of "The Banana Boat Song" at Charles' funeral in the original film serves as a haunting reminder of mortality and the whimsical nature of the afterlife, themes that are sure to be explored further in "Beetlejuice 2."
Winona Ryder's enduring love for "Beetlejuice" played a pivotal role in her decision to join the cast of "Stranger Things." When she first met with creators Matt and Ross Duffer, she made it clear that her commitment to the Netflix series was contingent on one condition: if "Beetlejuice 2" ever materialized, she would need time off to reprise her iconic role as Lydia Deetz.
The Duffer brothers, recognizing the significance of "Beetlejuice" in Ryder's career and the potential for a long-awaited sequel, readily agreed to her request. This demonstrates not only Ryder's dedication to both projects but also the enduring cultural impact of "Beetlejuice" and the anticipation surrounding its return. The prospect of Ryder balancing her roles in both "Stranger Things" and "Beetlejuice 2" adds another layer of excitement to the upcoming sequel, promising a reunion that fans have been eagerly awaiting for decades.
"Beetlejuice 2" brings the shrinker characters to life with impressive practical effects. Talented creature performers Paul Warren and Nick Kellington inhabit the costumes, while animatronic heads, expertly controlled by puppeteers off-set, add an extra layer of realism.
The "Beetlejuice 2" set was filled with laughter, thanks to the comedic chemistry between the cast. Jenna Ortega admitted Justin Theroux's antics often had her in stitches, while Theroux himself confessed Catherine O'Hara was his biggest on-set distraction.
Staying true to the original, "Beetlejuice 2" embraces Beetlejuice's unapologetically politically incorrect nature. Both Michael Keaton and Tim Burton felt it was essential to preserve this aspect of the character, believing his refusal to evolve adds to his charm.
"Beetlejuice 2" offers a glimpse into the Maitland/Deetz home, where Delia has faithfully preserved Charles' study, honoring her promise to leave it untouched. Years later, the room remains a testament to Adam and Barbara's original design.
Lydia's passion for the paranormal takes center stage in "Beetlejuice 2" as she hosts her own show, "Ghost House." Interestingly, this title was almost used for the original film, but Tim Burton fought hard to keep the now-iconic "Beetlejuice."
Known for his improvisational style, Michael Keaton famously skipped rehearsals for "Beetlejuice 2," preferring to bring his unique energy to the set.
Monica Bellucci lent her own voice to her character in the Italian dub of "Beetlejuice 2," adding an extra layer of authenticity to her performance.
Jenna Ortega's whirlwind success with "Wednesday" led to an unexpected opportunity: Tim Burton offered her the role of Astrid in "Beetlejuice 2" just days after the show's premiere.
"Beetlejuice 2" pays homage to the original film with a sartorial detail: Beetlejuice's iconic red tuxedo is the very same one worn by Michael Keaton in 1988.
Before Michael Keaton landed the role, Danny DeVito was among the actors considered to bring Beetlejuice to life in the original film.
Arthur Conti's journey to "Beetlejuice 2" involved a virtual audition with Tim Burton and a chemistry test with Jenna Ortega. The news of his casting on April Fool's Day initially led him to believe it was a prank.
Catherine O'Hara's dedication to Delia's iconic look in "Beetlejuice 2" is evident in the meticulous wig process. While six copper wigs were initially prepared, O'Hara insisted on returning to Delia's signature red, leading to a late-night transformation.
Justin Theroux's character Rory in "Beetlejuice 2" sports a distinctive manbun wig, a choice that emerged from a series of wig trials. Theroux found the wig's absurdity hilarious and drew inspiration from his childhood experiences with overeager boyfriends of his mother.
"Beetlejuice 2" returns to the familiar filming grounds of East Corinth, Vermont, the setting of the original film. During production, Jenna Ortega encountered enthusiastic fans who shared nostalgic photo albums containing Tim Burton's signature.
Jenna Ortega's first encounter with Michael Keaton on the set of "Beetlejuice 2" was a memorable one. While undergoing a hair and makeup test, she was startled by a tap on the shoulder and turned to find Keaton in full Beetlejuice regalia, complete with peeling prosthetic makeup. Despite the surprise, Ortega managed to maintain her composure.
"Beetlejuice 2" boasts a significantly larger budget than its predecessor. With an estimated $150 million, it dwarfs the original film's $15 million budget (equivalent to roughly $39 million in today's dollars). This substantial increase reflects the film's ambitious scope and visual effects.
Tim Burton's decision to cast Danny DeVito as the afterlife janitor in "Beetlejuice 2" stemmed from a desire to infuse the film with a personal touch. Burton, a longtime collaborator with DeVito, saw the role as a way to surround himself with trusted friends during the filmmaking process.
The "Beetlejuice 2" set in East Corinth, Vermont, became the target of a bizarre heist in July 2023. Thieves made off with several props, including a pumpkin-topped lamppost, prop windows, and a distinctive spiky sculpture reminiscent of Delia Deetz's artwork from the original film. Eyewitnesses described the getaway vehicle as a GMC pickup truck.
Christine Blundell, the makeup artist for "Beetlejuice 2," aimed for a lived-in look for Lydia's makeup. The goal was to create the impression that it had been applied hours earlier, reflecting Lydia's chaotic lifestyle and avoiding a overly polished appearance.
Colleen Atwood, the costume designer for "Beetlejuice 2," faced the challenge of updating Beetlejuice's iconic striped suit while staying true to the character's essence. Atwood envisioned an older, slightly mellowed Beetlejuice who had spent years in the underworld. Using the original suit as inspiration, she opted for a softer, more textured fabric that conveyed a sense of wear and tear, reflecting Beetlejuice's extended time in the afterlife.
Both Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder singled out the wedding dance scene as their favorite to film in "Beetlejuice 2." Ryder, in particular, was captivated by Keaton's "gorgeous eyes" during their shared moments on the dance floor.
Delores’s backstory in Beetlejuice 2 is a loving homage to Mario Bava’s 1960 horror classic La Maschera del Demonio (Black Sunday), complete with black-and-white cinematography. In an unexpected twist, Beetlejuice narrates the sequence entirely in Italian. Director Tim Burton later name-drops Mario Bava in the film, while another of Bava’s works, Operazione Paura (Kill, Baby... Kill!, 1966), is revealed to be Richard’s favorite movie. In a fun nod to Bava’s legacy, it’s also mentioned that Lydia went into labor with Astrid during a late-night Bava marathon.
Burton explained the inspiration behind Delores’s backstory, saying, “Beetlejuice’s origins all stem from my love of Italian horror films. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and this felt like the perfect opportunity to tick that box.” He added, “Maybe it’s because Monica [Bellucci] is Italian, or maybe it’s because I grew up watching dubbed Italian films—those movies are in my DNA. It just felt like a personal and special way to approach his backstory.”
Burton worked with cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos to recreate the moody, dreamlike visuals of 1960s Italian horror. “We used filters and techniques to achieve the look live on set,” Burton shared. “We also built physical sets to capture that handmade, surreal quality of those films. It was all shot in one day, which felt true to how those movies were made—quick, resourceful, and focused on atmosphere.”
The original Beetlejuice hinted that most living people can’t see ghosts because they subconsciously choose not to, though it wasn’t entirely clear if this was a matter of “can’t” or “won’t.” Lydia was the exception, able to see the Maitlands because of her alienation from the living world. Beetlejuice 2 expands on this idea, revealing that Lydia is actually a psychic medium with the supernatural ability to see and interact with the dead. The Maitlands were simply the first of many spirits she would encounter as her powers awakened.
While the Maitland/Deetz house had to be rebuilt as a facade for Beetlejuice 2, much of the small town of Winter River, Vermont, remained remarkably unchanged. Tim Burton reflected on the experience of revisiting the town: “I was shocked when we went back—it was like stepping into a time capsule. No new buildings, nothing modernized. It was haunting in the best way, almost like the town itself is frozen in time, just like the spirit of the movie.”
One of the most iconic elements of the original film—the miniature model of Winter River—makes a return in Beetlejuice 2. The effects team rebuilt the model to its original 1/58th scale, meaning the tiny buildings are only four to five inches tall. However, instead of building oversized sections for close-up shots like in the original, the team used a mirror periscope rig originally designed for filming Thomas the Tank Engine miniatures. This innovative setup allowed cameras to get within millimeters of the tiny models, capturing incredible detail.
The model was constructed in six sections so it could be split down the middle of the main street, a moment enhanced with CGI by Framestore. According to the effects team, this combination of practical and digital techniques helped preserve the tactile charm of the original film while adding a modern flair.
Maintaining the film’s autumnal aesthetic required some creative solutions. The first round of filming took place in July, with lush green landscapes dominating the Vermont scenery. To create the fall look, the team used a “Fall Filter” to digitally shift the greens into vibrant autumn tones. Later in the year, the crew returned for additional shots as the trees began to lose their leaves. “It’s actually harder to add leaves to bare trees than it is to change their color,” Burton explained, “so we worked with what we had and blended the two shoots seamlessly.”
Monica Bellucci, who plays the mysterious and dangerous Delores, described the role as a unique and transformative experience. “Delores is unlike any character I’ve ever played,” Bellucci said. “She’s a survivor, even in the Netherworld. She’s full of scars, both emotional and physical, but she’s strong. She’s dangerous and funny at the same time—a true creature of the afterlife.”
Bellucci credited the film’s team with helping her bring Delores to life. “I spent three hours in makeup every day, and Colleen Atwood’s costumes were extraordinary. Walking onto those incredible sets made it easy to step into Delores’s world. Even though she’s dead, she feels so alive.”
She added, “Tim [Burton] told me he had this key role in mind for me, and I was thrilled to accept. Delores is a metaphor for life—she’s been through so much, but she keeps going. I loved playing her.”
True to the spirit of the original, Beetlejuice 2 brings back the absurd, dark humor of the afterlife. One of the first new characters Burton conceived for the sequel was a hot dog eating champion who literally ate himself to death. “I was inspired by Joey Chestnut and his incredible wins at the 4th of July hot dog eating contests,” Burton revealed. “I actually wanted Joey to play the character, but he was in training for another big competition. Out of respect, we still created the character as a tribute to him.”
With its blend of practical effects, Italian horror influences, and the quirky humor that made the original a classic, Beetlejuice 2 promises to be a nostalgic yet fresh take on the Netherworld. Whether through Lydia’s evolving powers, Beetlejuice’s surreal backstory, or Delores’s haunting presence, the sequel dives deeper into the strange and unusual, proving that some spirits never really leave—they just keep getting weirder.
Spoilers
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice 2 dives deeper into the strange and unusual world of the afterlife while expanding on the humor, horror, and heart that made the 1988 original a classic. From callbacks to major plot twists, the sequel is packed with clever references, offbeat character moments, and Burton’s signature blend of macabre whimsy.
One of the most iconic elements of the original movie, the miniature model of Winter River, Vermont, makes a significant return in Beetlejuice 2. Paying homage to Adam and Barbara Maitland’s tragic deaths in the first film, the model features a car overturned in the water below the Winter River Bridge, representing the crash that killed them. This detail serves as a poignant reminder of the Maitlands’ story, even as new chaos unfolds in the afterlife.
Though Jeffrey Jones was not invited back to reprise his role as Charles Deetz due to real-life controversies, the movie gives Charles a memorable send-off. His death is based on a nightmare Tim Burton had, where he survived a plane crash only to be eaten by a shark. Screenwriters Alfred Gough and Miles Millar used this concept as an opportunity to showcase Burton’s love of stop-motion animation. “We thought, ‘This is a great way to bring stop-motion into the movie while telling his backstory,’” said Gough. Charles’ funeral scene is accompanied by the iconic “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song),” a fitting tribute to the song’s unforgettable role in the original film.
Catherine O’Hara returns as Delia Deetz, but her character meets a bizarre and tragic end. While brainstorming ideas for Delia’s death, O’Hara herself suggested that Delia might take her own life out of love for Charles. While the writers loved the idea, they felt it might be too dark for a comedy. Instead, they devised a brilliantly absurd accidental death: Delia is fatally bitten by asps, snakes she unwittingly incorporates into one of her avant-garde performances.
Interestingly, Delia’s death may have been foreshadowed in the original film. During a scene in Beetlejuice (1988), Delia berates a forklift operator for mishandling one of her sculptures, exclaiming, “This is my art, and it is dangerous! You think I want to die like this?” That line, combined with Beetlejuice trapping her with another sculpture later in the film, makes her ultimate demise feel like a darkly ironic callback to her own warnings.
Danny DeVito makes a cameo as Delores’ first victim, a slovenly undead janitor who drinks heavily and mutters disdain for “goddamn foreigners” (in this case, the recently deceased). His character is reminiscent of DeVito’s Frank Reynolds from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, with grunting noises and mannerisms that also harken back to his portrayal of the Penguin in Burton’s Batman Returns. At one point, the janitor drinks toilet cleaner, causing black liquid to ooze from his mouth—a nod to the Penguin’s toxic sewer-water death.
Winona Ryder reprises her role as Lydia Deetz, and her relationship with Beetlejuice is brought into focus in surprising ways. During an appearance on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast, Ryder revealed that she had always imagined Lydia and Beetlejuice as “endgame” and even advocated for a romantic twist. While the film doesn’t fully commit to this idea, Ryder was gifted the characters’ wedding cake toppers as a keepsake after filming wrapped, hinting at the complex dynamic between the two.
Justin Theroux plays Rory, Lydia’s fiancé, a character inspired by Otho from the original film. Writers Gough and Millar wanted Rory to be someone audiences would love to see get his comeuppance, while also making him more than just a punchline. Throughout the film, Rory’s shady motives are revealed, culminating in a scene where Beetlejuice injects him with truth serum. This leads to Rory admitting that he only wanted to marry Lydia for her money. The groundwork for this twist is cleverly foreshadowed earlier in the film, when Rory says Beetlejuice’s name three times, leading to a marriage counseling session in the Netherworld.
Monica Bellucci plays Delores, a deeply scarred and dangerous figure from the Netherworld. Her first victim, the aforementioned janitor, sets the tone for her menacing role. Bellucci described Delores as a “survivor” who is both terrifying and funny, embodying the duality of Burton’s vision. “Even though she’s dead, she feels so alive,” Bellucci said, crediting Tim Burton and costume designer Colleen Atwood for helping her fully inhabit the character.
Beetlejuice 2 expands on the lore of the afterlife, showing a world in disarray. A newspaper Beetlejuice reads has a headline about ghosts whose deaths were incorrectly labeled as suicides, which explains why Beetlejuice (who was poisoned) and Richard (who was eaten by piranhas) ended up working in the Afterlife Bureaucracy. Another article mentions a “Case Worker Strike,” explaining why the afterlife is so poorly managed. Beetlejuice and Wolf Jackson, a former stuntman who died in a grenade accident, are now among the highest-ranking civil servants, despite their chaotic tendencies.
The film’s climactic wedding scene is built around the surreal and theatrical use of Richard Harris’s “MacArthur Park.” Burton insisted on using the full seven-and-a-half-minute version of the song, with its bizarre tempo changes and orchestral flourishes. “It’s nuts, and that’s why it’s perfect for Beetlejuice 2,” said Millar. The sequence includes Willem Dafoe’s character emerging from a crypt with a “ghoul squad” and a series of increasingly wild events, perfectly synced to the song’s unpredictable structure.
In true Beetlejuice fashion, the film ends on a chaotic note. Lydia has a nightmare where everything seems resolved—she’s married, happy, and moving forward with her life—only to discover she’s giving birth to a Beetlejuice baby. The writers intentionally left the story open-ended, with Gough explaining, “We didn’t want the movie to feel like it was wrapped up in a bow. The Beetlejuice baby was the final curveball to remind audiences that nothing in this world is ever simple or resolved.”
Beetlejuice 2 successfully balances its callbacks to the original with fresh ideas, expanding the afterlife’s mythology and introducing new characters and absurd scenarios. Whether it’s Lydia’s nightmare, Charles’ shark-related demise, or the return of the miniature town, the sequel captures the chaotic spirit of the original while pushing the story into even stranger, darker territory.