‘Beetlejuice 2’ is closer than ever to happening, says Tim Burton
A Beetlejuice sequel is “closer than ever” to happening, says director Tim Burton.
Burton directed the 1988 original, which starred Michael Keaton as a so-called “bio-exorcist” trying to scare away the new human inhabitants of a haunted house so that a ghost couple, played by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis, can continue living there. Catherine O’Hara, Jeffrey Jones and a 17-year-old Winona Ryder co-starred as the human family members.
A slow-moving sequel has been in the works at Warner Bros since September 2011 with Burton interested in returning as director. Asked for an update on the sequel’s progress, Burton told ComingSoon: “It’s a character that I love and I miss and I miss actually working with Michael. There’s only one Betelgeuse. We’re working on a script and I think it’s probably closer than ever and I’d love to work with him again.”
Earlier this year, Keaton said he would be “more than interested” in returning for a sequel provided Burton is involved. The actor, 62, is currently enjoying something of a career revival and is considered frontrunner for next year’s Best Actor Oscar for his performance in forthcoming black comedy film Birdman.
At one point the mooted Beetlejuice sequel had a script by Seth Grahame-Smith, who also co-wrote the screenplay for Burton’s 2012 film Dark Shadows. Speaking back in May 2012, Grahame Smith said the new Beetlejuice movie would not be a “remake” or “reboot”, but “a true sequel with Michael Keaton as the title character”.