Famed actor Michael Keaton has expressed his high regard for young actress Jenna Ortega in their highly anticipated collaboration on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the sequel to Tim Burton’s iconic 1988 film.
At 72 years old, Keaton enthusiastically shared his thoughts about Ortega while at the premiere of his feature Knox Goes Away on March 14. “Oh boy, she’s good,” he told Entertainment Tonight, praising the Wednesday star’s ability to perfectly capture the essence of the film’s unique tone.
He continued to endorse Ortega, at 21, as “really special,” highlighting her skillful performance.
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Keaton, reprising his role as the eponymous Beetlejuice in this awaited sequel, mentioned the return of other original cast members, including Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder, who is reprising her role as Lydia Deetz. Ortega is set to play Ryder’s character’s daughter, Astrid Deetz, with the film slated for a September 6, 2024 release.
In a conversation with Vanity Fair, Ortega showed her longstanding affection for Beetlejuice, sharing that she was already acquainted with the iconic characters and costumes prior to actually watching the original movie. Despite keeping details about her role under wraps, she hinted at the character of Astrid as being “weird,” yet not in expected ways, and highlighted the significance of the mother-daughter dynamic with Ryder’s Lydia.
In the meantime, Ortega gears up to shoot the second season of Wednesday, as per Deadline, while Keaton celebrates his directorial stint with the Alzheimer’s-centric thriller Knox Goes Away, which also stars Al Pacino and James Marsden.
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FAQ
- When will ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ be released in theaters?
- The sequel is set for a theatrical release on September 6, 2024.
- Who are some of the original cast members returning for the sequel?
- Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, and Winona Ryder will be reprising their roles from the original film.
- What role is Jenna Ortega playing in the ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ sequel?
- Ortega will portray Astrid Deetz, the daughter of Winona Ryder’s character, Lydia Deetz.
- What film is Michael Keaton currently promoting that he directed?
- Michael Keaton is currently promoting Knox Goes Away, a thriller about a hitman with dementia.
Conclusion
With the return of iconic faces and the addition of fresh talent like Jenna Ortega, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is shaping up to be a much-anticipated sequel. Keaton’s praise for Ortega’s performance speaks volumes about the potential chemistry and dynamics audiences can look forward to when the film hits theaters in 2024. As stars old and new prepare for their roles, fans can only wait eagerly for the return of the beloved supernatural world that Tim Burton first introduced to them decades ago.