Michael Keaton returns in ’Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’: A nostalgic revival
A long-awaited sequel
Michael Keaton is back as the iconic “Ghost With the Most” in Tim Burton’s eagerly anticipated sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The film is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival this month before hitting theaters in September. Keaton, who originally brought the mischievous spirit to life in 1988, recently shared his thoughts on reprising the role, emphasizing that he didn’t want the sequel to overemphasize Beetlejuice’s screen time.
“The idea was, no, no, no, you can’t load it up with Beetlejuice, that’ll kill it,” Keaton explained. ”I think the Beetlejuice character doesn’t drive the story as much as he did in the first one. He’s more part of the storyline in this one as opposed to the first one, which is a case of, this thing comes in and drives the movie a little bit.”
A reunion of familiar faces
The Beetlejuice sequel reunites Keaton with director Tim Burton and original cast members Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara. New additions to the cast include Jenna Ortega and Willem Dafoe. The plot centers on the strained relationship between Ryder’s Lydia Deetz and her daughter, Ortega’s Astrid. Keaton mentioned in an interview that this mother-daughter dynamic adds an emotional depth to the sequel that the original film lacked.
“The [original] was so fun and exciting visually. [The sequel is] all that but really beautiful and interestingly emotional here and there,” Keaton said. “I wasn’t ready for that. It’s great.”
Staying true to the character
One of Keaton’s stipulations for returning was to ensure that Beetlejuice remained true to his original, irreverent self. Despite the passage of time and changing societal norms, Keaton insisted that the character should not undergo a sensitivity update.
“He’s a thing. He’s more of a thing than a he or a she, he’s more of an it,” Keaton said. “And I’m not saying ‘it’ to be politically correct. I just viewed it as a force more than anything. I mean, there’s definitely strong male energy, like stupid male energy, which I love. You don’t want to touch that because it’s not like you go, ‘Well, it’s a new year and this thing would now act like that.’”
A handmade approach
Keaton also shared that filming the sequel was one of the most enjoyable experiences he’s had on set in a long time. He and Burton were committed to maintaining the handmade feel of the original film, avoiding an overreliance on modern technology.
“On one hand, you’d go, ‘Well, of course it’s the most fun. It looks like fun.’ As you know, it doesn’t always work like that,” Keaton said. “The one thing that [Tim] and I decided on early, early, early on from the beginning, if we ever did it again, I was totally not interested in doing something where there was too much technology. It had to feel handmade. It’s the most exciting thing. When you get to do that again after years of standing in front of a giant screen, pretending somebody’s across the way from you, this is just enormous fun.”
A new chapter for Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice promises to be a delightful blend of nostalgia and fresh storytelling. With its premiere at the Venice Film Festival and a theatrical release on September 6, fans old and new will soon have the chance to experience the next chapter in the Beetlejuice saga. For those eager to get a sneak peek, you can watch the trailer here.
As we await the film’s release, it’s clear that the magic of Beetlejuice remains as captivating as ever. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the world of the mischievous ghost, this sequel is set to offer a thrilling and emotionally resonant journey.