In a recent interview with The Independent, the legendary director Tim Burton, aged 65, expressed his newfound enthusiasm for filmmaking while working on “Beetlejuice 2.” This sequel, set to hit theaters in September 2024, reunites Burton with Michael Keaton, who reprises his iconic role as Beetlejuice, and Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz. Burton candidly shared how his past experiences with major studio productions left him emotionally drained, but this return to the quirky and supernatural world of Beetlejuice provided a refreshing change of pace.
Reflecting on his previous studio films, Burton revealed, “That’s why it is hard for me to watch the movies afterwards, because I still feel the emotional whatever of it. I don’t get a release from that.” However, he was quick to add, “But I do enjoy all the people I’ve worked with. On this last one, Beetlejuice 2, I really enjoyed it. I tried to strip everything and go back to the basics of working with good people and actors and puppets. It was kind of like going back to why I liked making movies.”
The Beetlejuice sequel is currently in its final stages of production, with Burton stating that it’s “99 percent done.” Filming commenced earlier this year in London and Vermont before being temporarily halted due to a Screen Actors Guild strike in July. Burton expressed gratitude for what they had accomplished, saying, “I feel grateful we got what we got. Literally, it was a day and a half. We know what we have to do.”
While specific plot details for “Beetlejuice 2” remain shrouded in mystery, Michael Keaton, now 72, shared his excitement about revisiting one of his beloved ’80s roles. “Beetlejuice is the most fun you can have working. It’s so fun, it’s so great. And you know what it is? We’re doing it exactly like we did the first movie,” he enthusiastically remarked during an interview with Empire in June.
Keaton and Burton had secretly discussed the project for years, both committed to recreating the magic of the original film. Keaton explained, “We’ve both said we’re doing it many times. We both agreed, if it happens, it has to be done as close to the way we made it the first time. Making stuff up, making stuff happen, improvising and riffing, but literally handmade stuff like people creating things with their hands and building something.”
In conclusion, “Beetlejuice 2” appears to be a return to the roots of filmmaking for Tim Burton, filled with the joy and creativity that initially drew him to the world of cinema. Michael Keaton summed up the experience, declaring, “It’s the most fun I’ve had working on a movie in I can’t tell you how long.” Fans eagerly await the return of the mischievous bio-exorcist and the unique storytelling that only Tim Burton can deliver.