Michael Keaton, known for his role as the mischievous spirit Beetlejuice, recently shared insights into the much-anticipated sequel to the 1988 classic. In an interview with People magazine, Keaton revealed that he and director Tim Burton approached the sequel with caution, wanting to ensure it was done right.
“We thought, ‘You got to get this right. Otherwise, just don’t do it. Let’s just go on with our lives and do other things.’ So I was hesitant and cautious, and [Burton] was probably equally as hesitant and cautious over all these years,” Keaton explained. However, once they delved into the project, they found themselves having a great time working on it.
One of the key aspects Keaton emphasized was the desire to maintain a handmade feel to the film, avoiding an over-reliance on technology. He expressed the joy of interacting with physical sets and props, highlighting the authenticity it brings to the performance.
“It had to feel handmade. What made it fun was watching somebody in the corner actually holding something up for you, to watch everybody in the shrunken head room and say, ‘Those are people under there, operating these things, trying to get it right,'” Keaton said.
He also expressed excitement about returning to a more traditional form of filmmaking, where actors interact with each other directly rather than against a green screen.
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“It’s the most exciting thing when you get to do that again after years of standing in front of a giant screen, pretending somebody’s across the way from you,” Keaton added.
The sequel, titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, sees the return of Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara, alongside new cast members Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, and Justin Theroux in new roles. Ortega plays Lydia’s daughter, Dafoe portrays an afterlife law enforcement officer, and Bellucci takes on the role of Beetlejuice’s wife.
Directed by Tim Burton and with a script by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice wrapped up production in Vermont in November. The film is set to hit theaters on September 6, promising fans a blend of nostalgia and new adventures in the whimsical world of Beetlejuice.