Has anyone been waiting for a Beetlejuice sequel? I can’t say I have. I enjoyed the original for what it was and moved on. It was the film that made Tim Burton a household name, and Michael Keaton’s performance is dazzling, but it’s hardly a film that requires more attention. But here we are, nearly in 2024, looking at a sequel to the 1988 film. 

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the film is that it could be Tim Burton’s last chance to really recapture his status. Beetlejuice was the original film that launched Burton’s career. Now that his reputation has fallen, he may be able to use the sequel to rebound and recapture the whimsical and eerie charm that made the original a cult classic and him a major filmmaker.

Scheduled for release on September 6, 2024, Beetlejuice 2 marks a significant return for Burton to the director’s chair four years after his last feature, the live-action Dumbo, which disappointed audiences. The sequel reunites Burton with several cast members from the original film, including Michael Keaton reprising his role as the exuberant bio-exorcist Beetlejuice, Winona Ryder returning as Lydia Deetz. They are joined by new cast members including Jenna Ortega, who is possibly playing Lydia Deetz’s daughter Astrid.

The plot remains tightly under wraps, but there are exciting speculations about its setting. While an initial script draft from 2020 suggested a move to Hawaii for the Deetz family, it’s unclear if this storyline will be part of the final film. The working title, “Blue Hawaii”, adds to this speculation, though no official confirmation has been provided.

Tim Burton has expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting a return to the basics of filmmaking and working with a team of talented actors and crew. This sentiment was echoed by Michael Keaton, who described his experience on the set as “the most f—in’ fun you can have working”, praising the film’s adherence to the original’s creative and improvisational spirit.

The production of Beetlejuice 2 wasn’t without its challenges. A summer strike by SAG-AFTRA temporarily halted filming, but it was able to resume and wrap up in time to keep the original release date. This timely completion avoided a potential push to a Christmas 2024 release, maintaining its ideal post-Labor Day weekend slot, which is typically favourable for horror films.

There is also the return of Danny Elfman as the composer, continuing his long-standing collaboration with Burton. The original Beetlejuice, with its quirky and macabre storyline complemented by Elfman’s distinctive score, achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success, grossing over $73 million at the box office.

Release Date: September 6, 2024

Will It Be Good?

It’s not impossible, but this does come across as just another sequel right now. The cast and crew of the previous film may be able to recapture the magic, but it’s hard to be too optimistic about this considering the state of Tim Burton’s career. Does he still have the talent to make a good movie? Frankly, there isn’t much to suggest he does. Pair that with the lack of need for a sequel, and it’s tricky to imagine how they’ll be able to make a sequel worthy of the original. But it’s not impossible. Burton is still a major director, so he can still pull a rabbit out of the hat. 

Will It Be Worth Watching? I wouldn’t bank on it.