Michael Keaton Hints at ‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel as “Enormous Fun” & Emphasizes Creative Choice to Minimize CGI Dependence
Michael Keaton is offering a glimpse into the upcoming Beetlejuice sequel set to hit theaters later this year. The film, helmed by Tim Burton, serves as a follow-up to the 1988 horror comedy, with Keaton reprising his iconic role as Beetlejuice.
In a recent interview, Keaton discussed his return to the Beetlejuice universe and revealed his early decision with Burton to minimize the reliance on CGI effects.
“The one thing that he and I decided on early, early, early on from the beginning, if we ever did it again, I was totally not interested in doing something where there was too much technology,” he told People. “It had to feel handmade.”
Keaton emphasized the importance of practical effects, stating, “What made it fun was watching somebody in the corner actually holding something up for you, to watch everybody in the shrunken head room and say, ‘Those are people under there, operating these things, trying to get it right.’”
“When you get to do that again after years of standing in front of a giant screen, pretending somebody’s across the way from you, this is just enormous fun,” Keaton added.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is scheduled to debut on September 6, featuring Winona Ryder reprising her role as Lydia Deetz, along with Catherine O’Hara returning as Delia Deetz. The cast also includes Jenna Ortega as Astrid Deetz, Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, Justin Theroux, Arthur Conti, and Burn Gorman.
Reflecting on the sequel’s journey, Keaton shared, “We thought, ‘You got to get this right. Otherwise, just don’t do it. Let’s just go on with our lives and do other things.’
So I was hesitant and cautious, and he was probably equally as hesitant and cautious over all these years. Once we got there, I said, ‘Okay, let’s just go for it. Let’s just see if we can do it, if we can pull this off.’”
