Michael Keaton and Tim Burton Have Discussed Beetlejuice Sequel
Could Beetlejuice himself be coming back to the world of the living?
Astute readers may remember that rumors arose about director Tim Burton returning to the ghastly series after a quarter-century since the film was released. Then, like all good things, those rumors were confirmed the following day. The next piece of the puzzle quickly fell in place, as Winona Ryder expressed her interest in portraying Lydia Deetz once more... as long as Burton and the aforementioned Keaton were involved.
It appears that preliminary talks have indeed taken place to ensure Keaton returns to the black and white. In an interview with MTV, Michael Keaton addressed the rumors of a Beetlejuice sequel being planned:
"I've e-mailed Tim a couple of times, talked to the writer a couple of times, but all really, really preliminary stuff. I always said that's the one thing I'd like to do again, if I ever did anything again. But it kind of required Tim to be involved some way or another. Now it looks like he is involved. And without giving too much away we've talked to each other, and e-mailed each other, and if he's in, it's going to be hard not to be in."
Looks like we're just a solid contract and a "Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice!" away from seeing Lydia and Beetlejuice on the big screen once again. We'll keep you guys in the know as more information becomes available.
[via MTV]
Winona Ryder is (most likely) returning for more Beetlejuice
Another piece of the puzzle of the Beetlejuice sequel might be falling into place as Winona Ryder has expressed her interest in joining the Tim Burton-directed sequel. Ryder, who made a bit of a name for herself as Lydia Deetz in the original film, is open to revisiting the character. According to an interview she had with The Daily Beast, the sequel is purported to take place 27 years later rather than a remake. The development, Ryder says, is what's attracting her to the project. However, she won't return to the film unless both Burton and Beetlejuice himself Michael Keaton are involved. While Burton's already attached to the film, it's just a matter of contract negotiations and scheduling before the film's cast is whole once again with Keaton and Ryder on board.
Beetlejuice was one of Burton's finest early films. Looking at his recent output, however, has many worried that the "Burton" style has grown too stale and uninteresting, something I can't help but agree with. As long as long-time Burton collaborators Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp stay far away from the project, I'll be on board with Beetlejuice 2: Son of Beetlejuice 1. Hopefully, reuniting with Ryder and Keaton will spark the creativity Burton lost following 2003's Big Fish.
[via IGN]
Tim Burton might direct the Beetlejuice sequel
I'm not a big fan of Tim Burton's films, but I'll give him credit for his output from the late '80s to the early '90s (Beetlejuice, Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns). He cemented the "Tim Burton" style with these early films, yet it's the hardheaded devotion to that style that's grown stale over the past few years. It only makes sense that Burton would want to revisit one of his earlier films to try to capture that special something he's been missing this past decade.
With Seth Grahame-Smith (Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter) and David Katzenberg writing the script for a potential Beetlejuice sequel, Burton himself has expressed interest in directing the film. According to the Schmoes Knows podcast, Burton really wants to direct Beetlejuice 2 to the point that he contemplated dropping out of directing Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. However, his schedule works out to where he can definitely do both films now.
Obviously, there's no word on casting, but Grahame-Smith and Katzenberg both expressed interest in wanting to retain Michael Keaton to portray the eponymous ghoul. With Burton on board, it would be a no-brainer for Keaton to return. All the film would need is Winona Ryder for early fans of Burton's work will begin lining up at their nearest Hot Topic for the next wave of Beetlejuice-brand belt buckles and sweatbands.
[via /Film]