It's a blast from the past as Michael Keaton dons the iconic black-and-white stripes once again in Entertainment Weekly's exclusive first look at Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the highly anticipated sequel to Tim Burton's cult classic.
Keaton, who recently reprised his role as Batman in The Flash, returns to another beloved character, Beetlejuice, alongside original cast members Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara as Lydia and Delia Deetz, respectively. Joining them are Jenna Ortega from Wednesday and Justin Theroux from The Leftovers, with further details on Theroux's character, Rory, remaining under wraps.
Directed by Burton, the original Beetlejuice (1988) followed the misadventures of the recently deceased Maitland couple (Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin) as they enlist the help of the mischievous bio-exorcist Beetlejuice to rid their home of its new living inhabitants.
The sequel picks up decades later with a new family tragedy that brings Beetlejuice back into the spotlight.
The poster for the sequel is included below.
Warner Bros.
Another picture shows Keaton in his iconic Beetlejuice garb.
Warner Bros.
Another still shows O'Hara, Ortega, Ryder, and Theroux in character.
Warner Bros.
A teaser trailer also dropped on Thursday, adding to the excitement:
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE | Official Teaser Trailer youtu.be
Fans could not contain their excitement.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Burton shared insights into the long-awaited sequel, describing the experience of reuniting with Keaton as "a weird out-of-body experience." Despite initial reservations, Keaton seamlessly slipped back into the role, delighting fans and filmmakers alike.
While various sequel ideas were considered over the years, including settings as diverse as Hawaii and the Wild West, Burton waited for the right emotional hook to reignite the project. Ultimately, it was the opportunity to explore Lydia Deetz's journey across three generations of Deetz women that captured Burton's imagination and provided the foundation for the new film.
Details on the plot and additional cast members, including Monica Bellucci, Arthur Conti, and Willem Dafoe, remain closely guarded secrets as Burton puts the finishing touches on the film. However, Burton did confirm the use of stop-motion animation to recreate the classic Beetlejuice effects, promising a return to the "handmade quality" that defines his cinematic style.
The film hits theaters on September 6.
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