Beetlejuice 2 is confirmed to be in development… amid rumors Jenna Ortega will star in sequel

Beetlejuice 2 has been confirmed in development by Warner Bros.

During the studio panel at CinemaCon 2023, the media and entertainment company announced that the sequel is now in the works – roughly 35 years after the release of the original 1988 horror comedy.

As reported by ScreenRantno other news was revealed about a possible release date or the likely cast.

However, more than a month earlier, sources confirmed that Tim Burton, 64, would be returning to direct the much-anticipated sequel.

It was also revealed that Wednesday star Jenna Ortega, 20 – who previously stated she would have almost turned down the hit Netflix series if she wasn’t given the chance to work with the legendary filmmaker – was in talks to take a leading role to take on.

As previously reported by deadlineif a deal is struck, Ortega would play Lydia Deetz’s daughter – the character originally played by Winona Ryder, 51.

In early March, insiders also revealed that production was expected to begin in London, England in late May or early June.

The budget for the upcoming project has not yet been announced.

And according to industry rumors, Michael Keaton, 71, is expected to return as the main character.

Almost a year ago, there were also unconfirmed rumors that Johnny Depp – who recently returned to the big screen with the French biographical drama Jeanne du Barry – would make his comeback after the libel trial with the sequel to Beetlejuice.

At the time the IMDb page for Beetlejuice 2 has been updated with a brief synopsis and release date of 2025.

The release date has since been removed. Keaton and Ortega appear on the cast list for the upcoming movie.

It’s not yet known if the rest of the cast – including Ryder, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, and Catherine O’Hara – will be back for the Burton-led sequel.

Leading role: It was also revealed that Wednesday star Jenna Ortega, 20 – who previously stated she almost turned down the hit Netflix series if she wasn’t given the chance to work with the legendary filmmaker – was in talks to take a leading role on to take oneself

New character: As previously reported by Deadline, sources told the publication that if a deal is struck, Ortega would play Lydia Deetz’s daughter – the character originally played by Winona Ryder, 51

Grand return: And according to industry rumors, Michael Keaton, 71, is expected to return as the main character

Rumor roll: Almost a year ago, there were also unconfirmed rumors that Johnny Depp – who recently returned to the big screen with the French biographical drama Jeanne du Barry – would make his comeback after the libel trial with the sequel to Beetlejuice

Upcoming sequel: It’s not yet known if the rest of the cast – including Ryder, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O’Hara – will be back for the Burton-led sequel

Robert Goulet – who played Maxie Dean – tragically passed away in October 2007 at the age of 74. It is unknown if his character will return and, if so, who will take on the role.

According to the synopsis, Beetlejuice – written by Michael McDowell and Warren Skaaren – followed the story of a married couple recently killed in a car accident.

The story begins with the now ghosts – Barbara (Davis) and Adam Maitland (Baldwin) – trapped in their former abode.

In a desperate attempt to prevent their home from being taken over and remodeled by new residents, they enlist the titular bio-exorcist (Keaton) to drive the current family away.

The mischievous Beetlejuice then wreaks havoc on Charles (Jones) and Delia Deetz (O’Hara), as well as their daughter Lydia (Ryder), who is the only one who can see the ghosts.

Since the release of the original film, there have been more than three decades of deliberations and attempts to get a sequel off the ground.

In the 1990s, the cult classic almost got an island sequel titled Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian.

However, the project was eventually shelved when Burton and Keaton focused their efforts on the famous 1992 action-adventure film Batman Returns.

Highly anticipated: Since the release of the original film, there have been more than three decades of deliberations and attempts to get a sequel off the ground

In the mid-2000s, another project came close to fruition, with Keaton and Ryder both expected to return for the sequel.

However, after constant delays and scheduling conflicts involving Burton, the project was inevitably shelved again in 2019.

Due to its critical acclaim and commercial success, Beetlejuice was adapted into an animated series that ran in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

In 2018, the horror comedy was developed into a musical that can still be seen occasionally on Broadway to this day.