Jenna Ortega has been confirmed to star in a Beetlejuice sequel, much to the delight of fans. The actress, who is best known for her role in Netflix's Wednesday, is understood to have secured the role of the daughter of Lydia Deetz in the upcoming film, which was played by Winona Ryder in the original.
The cult classic quickly became a hit after its release in 1988, with the likes of Michael Keaton as the leading character, Beetlejuice, and Tim Burton as the director. And it would seem both are due to reunite once more for the sequel, alongside Winona Ryder who is also reportedly set to reprise her roles as Lydia Deetz.
The hotly anticipated news has been music to film fanatics' ears who have been eagerly waiting three decades for a follow-up film to be made. According to reports, Warner Bros. are hoping to start production in London on Wednesday (May 10), with the sequel due for theatrical release on September 6, 2024.
The casting of Jenna Ortega has been branded a 'utterly perfect' move by fans, after rumours of her involvement were confirmed. On Twitter, VisionaryGold typed: "Utterly perfect casting." Scopey_13 added: "Can’t wait to watch this movie. The original was amazing."
Justmytakeaway posted: "Oh that's solid casting..... totally unnecessary but if they tied this into stranger things with Beetlejuice in the upside down.... I wouldn't be mad at it." Herleorr put: "Thank. God. For. Jenna. Ortega." 7zn4e simply said: "Wow I'm so happy." Sylki_anti exclaimed: "Awesome news!"
When Beetlejuice hit cinemas, it grossed $80 million (£63 million) at the box office. The film scored big for at the Oscars in 1989, winning the gong for best makeup.
The horror-comedy follows the story of recently deceased married couple Adam (played by Alec) and Barbara (Geena) as discover that a new family moved into their house. Using the Handbook for the Recently Deceased, they summon the spirit known as Beetlejuice to scare the family off the property.
In 2022, Tim Burton revealed 'nothing is out of the question' in regards to the production of Beetlejuice 2. In an interview with Deadline, he said: "I only know if I’m making a film when I’m actually on the set shooting.
"I try to go back to the root of everything. It springs from a seed and then it grows, rather than out of these statements. I am working on ideas and things but it’s all very early days. We’ll set how it goes. How’s that for a none answer?"
The director is well known for his 'dark and gloomy cinematics visual aesthetics', including in the likes of Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Big Fish. Most recently, he worked alongside Jenna Ortega on Netflix's Wednesday.
Since the series came out on the streaming platform in November 2022, it swiftly became Netflix's second-biggest English-language series ever.
