Although there were plans for a sequel to the 1988 cult classic horror comedy Beetlejuice, the idea didn’t materialize for three decades. Despite the long time gap, director Tim Burton didn’t watch the original film to refresh his memory before working on the sequel.
The director didn’t have to dive deep into the source material to come up with ideas for the sequel, which is set to take place 35 years after the events of Beetlejuice. “I didn’t want to make a big sequel for money or anything, I wanted to make it for very personal reasons,” he told Variety. He added, “I didn’t watch the first film to prepare for this. I remember the emotion of it and I remember everybody who was here.”
The critically acclaimed director stressed that he didn’t intend to make a sequel just for the sake of it, but rather he was naturally looking for a way to connect with it. Burton admitted that at some point in his life he was “lost” and Beetlejuice became a source of “reviving” his spirits and getting back to the things he loves doing, the way he loves doing it and being with the people he loves.
Also read: ‘I was clueless’: Michael Keaton opens up about his role in Dumbo; claims he disappointed Tim Burton
Despite recreating the terrifying world of Beetlejuice in a technologically advanced world, Burton opted to stick to the original vision and use practical effects as opposed to CGI. “It was great. That’s what gave the movie its energy,” he told Collider.
New props were needed every day on set, which was difficult with live effects, but not impossible. The director had an “effects team” that would create these things very quickly. He said this approach was really important to bring energy, spontaneity and fun to the filmmaking.
Burton said, “We didn’t want to just think about ‘sequel’ or (the franchise), just make the movie.” The highly anticipated Beetlejuice sequel features original characters Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice, Catherine O’Hara’s Delia and Winona Ryder’s Lydia, as well as new faces like Jenna Ortega as Astrid Deetz.
Lydia’s rebellious daughter Astrid ignores her mother’s warning and calls out Beetlejuice’s name three times. The most powerful ghost of all returns to wreak havoc in the lives of the Deetz family! The rest will be revealed when the film is released on September 6.
Also read: ‘You just look him in the eyes…’: Tim Burton reveals why he wanted Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne in 1989’s Batman
