The long-awaited sequel to Tim Burton’s classic 1988 comedy, Beetlejuice, has finally arrived. Titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the film made its world premiere on August 28, 2024, at the Venice Film Festival, opening the event with a splash.
Director Tim Burton, 66, was joined by a star-studded cast including Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, Catherine O’Hara, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, and Justin Theroux. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as fans and critics alike eagerly anticipated the continuation of the cult classic.
Les stars sont enfin arrivées à la Mostra de Venise pour le début du festival de cinéma !#Mostra #MostradeVenise #Venezia #Beetlejuicehttps://t.co/JuLa8sB2Ul
— Vogue France (@VogueFrance) August 28, 2024
During a press conference following the premiere, Winona Ryder, who reprises her role as Lydia Deetz, shared her enthusiasm about returning to the franchise. “One of my favorite parts was getting to stare into your eyes again,” she jokingly told Michael Keaton, who returns as the iconic prankster ghost. Ryder described making the sequel as “a dream come true” and expressed her deep trust in Burton’s creative process. She highlighted the playful and safe environment on set, saying, “You feel so safe in that sense, but you also feel just completely free.”
The sequel sees the return of several beloved characters from the original film. Michael Keaton reprises his role as Beetlejuice, the mischievous poltergeist, while Ryder returns as a now-adult Lydia Deetz, and Catherine O’Hara, 70, is back as Lydia’s quirky stepmother, Delia Deetz. Newcomers to the cast include Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, and Jenna Ortega, the latter playing Astrid Deetz, Lydia’s teenage daughter.
In the first full trailer, released in May, Lydia warns her daughter Astrid about the dangers of invoking Beetlejuice, recalling the chaos he brought upon her family years ago. The second trailer, which debuted in July, added a twist to the plot: Lydia seeks Beetlejuice’s help to save her daughter from the afterlife.
Michael Keaton, reflecting on returning to his iconic role, shared with Empire magazine how “surreal” it felt to step back into the shoes of Beetlejuice after more than 35 years. He spoke about reconnecting with the character by tapping into his original creative mindset rather than relying on the extensive merchandising and pop culture imagery that has since surrounded the ghostly character. Director Tim Burton praised Keaton’s ability to effortlessly slip back into the role, saying, “It was like he was possessed by a demon because he just went right back into it.”
81st Venice Film Festival opens with the highly anticipated debut of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” featuring stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Jenna Ortegahttps://t.co/m74rX9Itd7
— Daily Sabah (@DailySabah) August 28, 2024
The excitement surrounding Beetlejuice Beetlejuice at its Venice premiere is just the beginning, as the film is set to hit theaters in the U.S. on September 6. The Venice Film Festival continues until September 7, offering a host of other anticipated films, but it’s clear that Tim Burton’s sequel has already made a memorable impact.
Key Points:
i. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Tim Burton’s sequel to the 1988 classic, premiered at the Venice Film Festival on August 28, 2024.
ii. film’s star-studded cast includes Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, Catherine O’Hara, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, and Justin Theroux.
iii. Winona Ryder expressed excitement about returning to the franchise and praised the creative environment fostered by Burton on set.
iv. The plot centers around Lydia Deetz, played by Ryder, seeking Beetlejuice’s help to save her daughter, adding a new twist to the beloved story.
v. The film will be released in U.S. theaters on September 6, 2024, following its Venice Film Festival debut.
Charles William III – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
