The 81st Venice Film Festival kicked off with a bang as Tim Burton's highly anticipated horror comedy sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, had its first press screening to a packed house. The star-studded cast, including Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Jenna Ortega, Willem Defoe, Justin Theroux, and Monica Belluci, gathered for a group discussion on the making of the long-awaited project.
Ryder expressed her joy at reuniting with Keaton after 36 years, likening the atmosphere on set to the original film's production in 1988. She praised Burton's direction, saying, 'My love and trust for Tim runs so deep, and there was a sense of playfulness and freedom on set.'
Keaton humorously addressed his character's evolution over the decades, hinting at a more mature and caring Beetlejuice in the sequel. The film's plot revolves around Lydia Deetz and her family returning to their haunted house, where her daughter Astrid opens a portal to the afterlife where Beetlejuice resides.
The teaser trailer, released in March, teased fans with Keaton's iconic line, 'The juice is loose.' Warner Bros. is optimistic about the film's commercial success, with early tracking suggesting a potential $80 million opening at the North American box office on September 6.
Reviews for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice are set to be released after the world premiere at Venice's Sala Grande cinema. The film's blend of horror and comedy, coupled with the star power of the cast, has generated significant buzz among fans and industry insiders alike.
