Freshly released pictures from the highly anticipated horror-comedy sequel, Beetlejuice 2, give us the first glimpse of Jenna Ortega, the star of Wednesday, portraying the role of the progeny of Lydia Deetz, originally brought to life by Winona Ryder. A surprising revelation is the suggestion of an upcoming wedding. Made public by PEOPLE, these photographs feature Ortega donning a wedding dress in pink and white, leading to speculation that Michael Keaton’s character, Betelgeuse, could once again be on the verge of matrimony. An array of images from Beetlejuice 2’s ongoing production can be viewed below.
Caught in action on the Beetlejuice 2 set, Ortega was seen filming alongside the original star, Winona Ryder. Ryder, reprising the role of Lydia Deetz, was seen back in her iconic gothic attire. The scene being shot, which took place in Hertfordshire, England, allegedly revolves around a wedding ceremony.
A sequel to Beetlejuice has been the topic of countless rumors over many decades. Director Tim Burton initially expressed a desire to resurrect Keaton’s ghostly character as early as 1990 with the unfortunately doomed Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian. After an exhaustive period of speculation, the second installment of Beetlejuice has finally been confirmed to be under production at Warner Bros., reuniting director Tim Burton with the lead star Michael Keaton. They join Winona Ryder and newcomer Jenna Ortega.
Though the precise details of the storyline are yet to be disclosed, it’s confirmed that Ortega is set to take center stage in Beetlejuice 2, as the offspring of Winona Ryder’s original character. The film will also witness the return of Catherine O’Hara as Delia Deetz, alongside new cast members including Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe, and Monica Bellucci, who will portray Betelgeuse’s wife. This casting news poses intriguing questions around the hinted wedding scenario. Could Betelgeuse potentially have multiple spouses, or is another supernatural being looking to marry Ortega’s character?
The much-awaited Beetlejuice 2 is set for a theatrical release in September 2024.
The original Beetlejuice film, released in 1988, was directed by Tim Burton and written by the trio of Michael McDowell, Larry Wilson, and Warren Skaaren. The cast featured Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, and Michael Keaton, who portrayed the crafty “bio-exorcist” Beetlejuice. This macabre tale of specters and spooks is triggered when a newly departed couple, portrayed by Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin as Barbara and Adam Maitland respectively, invoke the conniving Beetlejuice from the Netherworld to scare away the new occupants of their old, haunted abode.
Beetlejuice 2 has been in the pipeline for a considerable period, and Michael Keaton has expressed his enthusiasm for being part of the project. He stated last month, “Burton and I had been considering this idea for many years, yet never revealing it to anyone. We both agreed that if it ever came to fruition, it would need to stay true to the spirit of the original production as much as possible. It’s the creativity, improvisation, and the literal handcrafted magic that makes it so enjoyable. It’s been the most fun I’ve had working on a movie in an indeterminably long time.”
Under the direction of Tim Burton and the screenplay penned by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, Beetlejuice 2 is slated for its grand release on September 6, 2024, by Warner Bros. Pictures.
