Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Reveals Michael Keaton And Winona Ryder As Their Classic Characters, See The Return
It’s showtime! New images from Beetlejuice Beetlejuice have been released, and even though it’s been 36 years, the ghost with the most still looks good—for a corpse, that is. The sequel to the original 1988 film is scheduled for a September release, but after seeing these pics, we want it now! The images also feature Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara reprising their roles as Lydia and Delia Deetz, and while the actresses are very much still alive, we have to say, they, too, are looking pretty good.
The Deetzes And Co.
The new pics come courtesy of Entertainment Weekly and also give us our first look at franchise newcomers Jenna Ortega and Justin Theroux. Ortega plays Lydia’s daughter, Astrid, while Theroux is portraying a new character named Rory. Not much is known about Rory, but given that nothing has been said of Astrid’s father, it’s always possible that Theroux is fulfilling that role.
The Bio-Exorcist Himself
The first picture shows Michael Keaton looking appropriately grimy in the villain’s signature tattered black and white striped suit. Keaton has been tight-lipped about what the self-proclaimed “Bio-exorcist” is up to in the sequel, but we did spot what looks like a wedding ring on his left hand. Could Beetlejuice Beetlejuice see the frightful phantom finally finishing the wedding ceremony he and Lydia started almost 40 years ago?
1988’s Beetlejuice
For those who don’t remember, the original film, about a crass specter trying to scare the Deetz family into vacating their new home, ended with Beetlejuice trying to marry a teenage Lydia against her will. The ceremony was cut short when the offending ghoul was swallowed by a giant sandworm courtesy of Barbara Maitland (Geena Davis), one of the previous owners of the house and a current resident of the afterlife.
Did Beetlejuice Get Hitched?
While it’s important to note that the ring isn’t on Beetlejuice’s ring finger, the pesky poltergeist isn’t exactly known for playing by the rules. It’s also possible that in the decades between the first film and the upcoming follow up, the titular character got married to someone else. Maybe Monica Bellucci, whose role in the sequel has been kept a secret, is secretly playing Mrs. Beetlejuice in the film?
If that’s the case, then the title, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, could be alluding to the fact that Michael Keaton won’t be the only troublemaking apparition wreaking havoc this time around.
Someone Is Missing, And It’s No Surprise
The second image shows Deelia, Astrid, Lydia, and Rory at what appears to be a cemetery. The characters are all dressed in black, and there’s a hearse in the background, leading us to assume they’re at a funeral. Could this be a funeral for Lydia’s father, Charles Deetz?
The actor who portrayed Charles in the original movie, Jeffrey Jones, turned out not to be such a nice guy in real life. In 2003 Jones pled guilty to possession of child pornography and no contest to soliciting a minor. Surprisingly, he’s still worked in Hollywood since then — most notably in HBO’s Deadwood series and its spinoff film.
In a post-#MeToo Hollywood, however, Jones is likely considered a lot less hirable (though we should note filming on Deadwood: The Movie began in the second half of 2018, long after #MeToo became a household name).
The question of how Beetlejuice Beetlejuice would handle the character of Charles Deetz has been looming over the production since it was announced.
The prevailing theory was that the sequel would not only kill off Charles but use his death as the catalyst to get everyone back together again. Given Tim Burton’s coy answer of “We’ll see,” when asked by EW about whether Charles Deetz’s death will factor into the plot of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, it definitely seems likely.
The Sequel Looks Promising
Usually, we’re skeptical about legacy sequels but this first look at the this sequel has us feeling optimistic. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice haunts theaters on September 6, 2024.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
