Starring Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, and Catherine O'Hara, the 1988 horror comedy "Beetlejuice" has become a cult classic in the decades since it was released.
While the original film ends with a neat resolution (the dead Maitlands and the living Deetzes agree to coexist in their shared home in peace, while Beetlejuice gets stuck in the waiting room for the afterlife), Warner Bros. announced in May 2023 that a sequel to the film would be coming in 2024.
Here's everything we know about "Beetlejuice 2."
The 'Beetlejuice 2' cast features returning actors from the first film as well as fresh faces
According to Variety, Keaton will reprise his role as the poltergeist Beetlejuice in the new film, with Ryder and O'Hara returning as Lydia Deetz and Delia Deetz, respectively.
When speaking to Vanity Fair as part of the outlet's 2024 Hollywood issue, Jenna Ortega (of "Wednesday" fame) confirmed that she's playing Astrid Deetz, Lydia's daughter, in the sequel.
"She's weird, but in a different way and not in the way you'd assume, I would say. The relationship between Lydia and Astrid, my character, is very important," Ortega said.
"And it's also really strange because it's a lot of catching up and putting the pieces together of what's gone on in Lydia's life since, which is nice, I think, for anybody who loves the character and is excited to see her again," she added.
When asked whether Astrid is the complete opposite of her morose mother, Ortega explained that she's rebellious and clashes with Lydia.
"I wouldn't say she's bright and sunny at all. She doesn't go to the opposite end of the spectrum, but any kid who becomes a teenager wants to be removed from their parents. I think they instantly just fight whatever it is that their parent loves," she said.
"So I think it's a little bit of that. I'm not wearing pink and a cheerleader, but I am a little bit against my mom's history or past. We butt heads quite a bit."
While details about Theroux and Bellucci's characters haven't been widely reported yet, Dafoe revealed that he's playing a deceased B-movie "action star" in the new film. Dafoe's character uses his skills to become a detective in the afterlife, per IndieWire.
Additionally, Tim Burton, who directed the 1988 original, is returning to helm the sequel.
'Beetlejuice 2' will feature lots of practical effects, just like the original
Keaton, who reprises his role as the title character, gushed about the hands-on approach Burton took with the film in a June 2023 interview with Empire.
"We both agreed, if it happens, it has to be done as close to the way we made it the first time," Keaton said of his discussions about the sequel with Burton. "Making stuff up, making stuff happen, improvising and riffing, but literally handmade stuff, like people creating things with their hands and building something."
Keaton called the effects "fucking great," and told Empire: "It's the most fun I've had working on a movie in I can't tell you how long."
'Beetlejuice 2' hits theaters in September 2024
The sequel has long been rumored (at one point getting shelved, then unshelved), but finally started shooting in mid-May 2023, according to Variety. The production took a hiatus after the actor's union called a strike in July 2023; according to Burton, they only had two days left of filming when the strike was called.
The strike ended in early November 2023, and Burton revealed on Instagram on November 30 that they'd finally finished filming.
Warner Bros. announced in November that "Beetlejuice 2" will be released on September 6, 2024.
