'Beetlejuice' 2: Jenna Ortega to star in long-awaited sequel 36 years later
In a bid to bring the cult classic “Beetlejuice” to a new generation, a sequel starring Jenna Ortega will hit theatres early next month.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” will be released worldwide on September 6, 36 years after the first Tim Burton-directed film.
The “Wednesday” star will play young Astrid in the new movie. Meanwhile, Winona Ryder has reprised her role of Lydia Deetz as Ortega plays her daughter.
In “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, her returning character is the host of a popular medium-based TV series called “Ghost House with Lydia Deetz”, something her teen daughter despises.
Meanwhile, Michael Keaton is also back as Beetlejuice, who is also referred to as the titular “Ghost with the Most”.
Catherine O'Hara will be making her return while new cast additions includes Justin Theroux, who plays Lydia's new fiancé Rory, as well as Monica Bellucci and Willem Dafoe.
While much of the fantasy horror-comedy’s plot has been kept under wraps, it is set to revolve around three generations of the Deetz family returning home to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy.
Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life soon gets turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter discovers a mysterious portal to the afterlife.
When someone says Beetlejuice's name three times, the mischievous demon gleefully returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.
The trailer for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” dropped in March and featured Keaton declaring to an astonished Ryder that: “The juice is loose.”
Burton directed the sequel from a script by “Wednesday” showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, with Seth Grahame-Smith credited for his work on the film’s story.
News publication “Total Film” reported that the new film has "a stronger story" than its predecessor, and that "there's more of a connection for the audience in terms of the other characters."
Meanwhile, Ortega recently opened up to “Indie Wire” about how her first experience of seeing Keaton in hair and makeup as Beetlejuice set the tone for the rest of the shoot.
“It was actually quite intimidating, because I’ve been saying that it was the first time that I felt like I really didn’t recognize somebody,” Ortega said
“And I think also it was strange because [his] hair and make-up, everything, [he] looked the exact same, so it was really confusing mentally to be in that place. I felt like I was dissociating and I had to stare at my hands to make sure I was like an actual person.”
Ryder added: "I feel very confident that it will match and exceed expectations. It certainly did mine and mine are way up there."
"I literally think every generation can find something in it that they'll really appreciate."
“Beetlejuice”, which was released back in 1988, has gone on to earn legions of fans across the globe.
It first introduced fans to the green-haired ghoul and revolved around a young couple turning to the troublemaking demon to help drive away obnoxious new homeowners.
∎“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” releases worldwide on September 6.