Beetlejuice 2 Will See One Iconic Element Return From Original Tim Burton Movie

Catherine O’Hara confirms that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will feature a reprise of an iconic musical moment from the original movie. Returning alongside Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton, O’Hara will reprise her role of aspiring artist and stressed stepmother Delia Deetz. The three original Beetlejuice stars will be joined by Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci, and Justin Theroux. The worlds on both sides of life and death are set to expand after almost 36 years with the upcoming installment.

With mere months until Beetlejuice Beetlejuice hits theaters, O’Hara opened up to Kelly Ripa on her podcast (via People) about how the sequel will recapture the spirit of Tim Burton’s earlier features and the original movie. Alongside the return of Harry Belafonte’s “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” to the soundtrack, the star teased that Burton approached the movie in a manner closer to his earlier work. Check out O’Hara’s full explanation below:

“When [Tim] did the first Beetlejuice, I think they wouldn’t even release it until they saw how [Pee-wee’s Big Adventure] did. That was his first … he was a newcomer. He was a beginner. He was just starting out and he didn’t have all that pressure on him that he now has. He wasn’t the Tim Burton that we all know and love.

“And he really just wanted that feeling back of just playing and nobody looking over his shoulder. And he really got it. He was in that same state of mind, real free and fun. And he’s really funny and a great laugher, and it was just really loose and fun and lovely.”

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Won’t Just Simply Revisit The Original Movie’s Greatest Hits

There will be plenty of changes as well

The “Day-O” sequence is a perfect encapsulation of the original Beetlejuice‘s balance between comedy and horror, as the Deetzes dinner party is suddenly possessed by Barbara and Adam Maitland (Geena Davis and Adam Baldwin) in an attempt to drive them from the house. While the silly dances and joyful music leave viewers laughing, the shrimp hands’ sudden attack brings the sequence to a close and catches people by surprise as a jump-scare. It has become one of the movie’s most iconic scenes, though Beetlejuice Beetlejuice won’t be a simple retread of what came before.

Following a screening of an early cut of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Keaton praised its emotional core as a highlight alongside its humor. Since it was revealed Ortega will play Lydia’s daughter Astrid and Belucci plays Betelgeuse’s wife, it is clear that the dynamics have changed for both the living and dead since audiences last saw them. However, these changes may not be for the better, as the absence of both the Maitlands, Charles Deetz (Jeffrey Jones), and potentially Astrid’s father could suggest the sequel may grapple with loss and farewells.

Related

Beetlejuice Ending Explained – How It Sets Up Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice 2 Return

Beetlejuice’s ending leaves a lot of details unclear, but the Tim Burton horror comedy does reveal what happens to Beetlejuice, Lydia, and Barbara.

Regardless of what forces may drive Beetlejuice Beetlejuice‘s story, O’Hara’s comments leave some interest in seeing how Burton will reimagine and reuse “Day-O.” With O’Hara quick to highlight the sequel’s lively, fun tone, it is clear Burton has attempted to strike the same balance that helped the original Beetlejuice stand out. Hopefully, first glimpses at Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will offer a clear peek at what’s to come.

Source: Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa (via People)

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the sequel to the original Tim Burton classic that starred Michael Keaton and Wynona Rider in a horror-comedy that involved ghosts trying to scare off new homebuyers from taking their house. The sequel brings back Michael Keaton as the hilarious and sleazy ghost with selfish intentions, now joined by Jenna Ortega in a new role.

Release Date

September 6, 2024

Studio(s)

KatzSmith Productions , Tim Burton Productions , Warner Bros. Pictures , Plan B Entertainment

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Writers

Mike Vukadinovich