Composer Danny Elfman defends Michael Keaton’s return in Beetlejuice 2 with a very valid point. Both Keaton and Elfman are returning for Beetlejuice 2, over 35 years after they starred in and composed the original film, respectively, in 1988. The first Beetlejuice was a commercial and critical success and has remained a classic since then. Despite this sequel being highly anticipated, some viewers were skeptical about Keaton returning to the role after so many years.
In an interview with Deadline, Elfman defends Keaton’s Beetlejuice 2 return by making a valid point about the nature of his role. Elfman admits he has heard the concerns about Keaton’s age, but assured fans they aren’t likely to notice much difference for one big reason. Check out Elfman’s statement below:
He’s not even going to look that much different. That’s the beauty of the Beetlejuice makeup. He already looked like he was 150 in the first one.
Everything We Know About Beetlejuice 2 So Far
The journey to Beetlejuice 2 has not been a smooth one. For years, rumors went back and forth about whether a sequel was happening, and whenever there seemed to be a confirmation of its development, things stalled. This largely has to do with the fact that a Beetlejuice sequel comes with the risk of tarnishing the legacy of the original beloved film. Plus, director Tim Burton and stars Keaton and Winona Ryder were propelled into stardom after Beetlejuice and, as Beetlejuice 2 writer Seth Grahame-Smith explained, getting them all on the same page was no easy feat.
Now that Beetlejuice 2 has been officially confirmed to be in development by Warner Bros., some details have come together. It was confirmed at CinemaCon 2023 that Burton will return to direct Beetlejuice 2, and Keaton is officially returning to his role as Betelgeuse. Additionally, Grahame-Smith, Michael McDowell, and David Katzenberg will make up Beetlejuice 2‘s writing team. As previously mentioned, Elfman will be returning as a composer, rounding out the confirmed crew. No further cast members have been confirmed, but rumors claim Ryder will return as Lydia Deetz and that Wednesday star Jenna Ortega will portray her daughter.
Plot details for Beetlejuice 2 have not yet been revealed. However, given Keaton’s return, it is expected to be a sequel to the original film rather than a reboot. Grahame-Smith has been tied to Beetlejuice 2 as a writer for over a decade and remained firm from the onset that the film would be a legitimate and worthy sequel instead of a remake or reboot. He also has expressed a desire for Lydia to return. Despite the lack of details about Beetlejuice 2, its cast and crew, such as Elfman, appear optimistic about its development.
Source: Deadline