Back in December, you may recall director Tim Burton stating that Beetlejuice 2 was “closer than ever” to entering production – finally! Well, almost eight months later, it seems Winona Ryder has all but confirmed that the sequel is indeed on the brink of development, and it’s one that will reportedly reunite her with co-star Michael Keaton.
Speaking during an appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers, the actress essentially reaffirms that the supernatural follow-up is incubating in the early stages of production, and that the script will set the return of Keaton’s ghost with the most.
“I think I can confirm it because Tim Burton did this interview,” Ryder told Meyers. “It was very hush-hush, top secret, ‘I don’t know what may happen, I don’t know,’ and then he was doing some press for ‘Big Eyes’ and he did an on-camera interview and he said, ‘Oh yeah, we’re doing it and Winona’s gonna be in it.’ So can I say…? I mean if he said it. But I really don’t know much more than anybody else.”
Last we heard, both Seth Grahame-Smith and David Katzenberg are penning the script for the long-gestating sequel, which is currently titled Beetlejuice 2. Truth be told there have been conversations about a potential follow-up – or perhaps prequel – to the cult comedy since it made its debut in ’88, though for one reason or another, it’s failed to get off the ground.
With Ryder on board, though, and Tim Burton set to helm the next outing, all Beetlejuice 2 really needs to give it that final push is the return of Michael Keaton, thus completing the ghostly trifecta. Back in December, Burton touched upon the status of the languishing sequel, and the chances of securing Keaton’s return.
“It’s a character that I love and I miss and I miss actually working with Michael,” said Burton in December. “There’s only one Betelgeuse. We’re working on a script and I think it’s probably closer than ever and I’d love to work with him again.”
Clearly there is an audience yearning for the release of Beetlejuice 2, and if Ryder, Burton and Keaton are locked down, we imagine that the sequel will slink into production before long.
