‘Beetlejuice 2′ will hit theaters in 2024

The long-anticipated ‘Beetlejuice’ sequel is officially happening. It was recently announced that ‘Beetlejuice 2′ is set to be released in theaters on September 6, 2024.

News of the official release date comes after it was previously reported that ‘Wednesday’ actress, Jenna Ortega, was in talks to star in the sequel of the classic horror comedy movie.

It has now been confirmed that Ortega will indeed play the daughter of Winona Ryder’s character from the original movie, Lydia Deetz.

What is ‘Beetlejuice 2′ about?

No further details have been released about the sequel’s plot. Michael Keaton, however, will be reprising his role as the titular Beetlejuice, a poltergeist who performs “bio exorcisms”.

In the first movie, Beetlejuice is employed by Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara Maitland (Geena Davis), a recently deceased couple, to get rid of the Deetz who have moved into their home.

In the movie, Beetlejuice wants to marry Lydia in order to wreak havoc on the mortal realm.

Aside from Keaton, Ryder, and Ortega, Justin Theroux is also tied to the movie, in an undisclosed role.

The movie won an Academy Award in the Best Makeup category at the 1989 Oscars.

It went on to gross $74 million in North America and $80 million at the global box office and was produced with a budget of only $15 million.

When will ‘Beetlejuice 2′ begin filming?

Production on the upcoming sequel is expected to begin on May 10 in London, England. Plan B, Brad Pitt’s production company, will be producing the movie.

Mike Vukadinovich is listed as the movie’s screenwriter, and has previously worked as a writer on ‘Kidding’ and ‘The Priest’.

The sequel will also be directed by Tim Burton who directed the first film, marking a reunion between Burton and Ortega, who directed several episodes and executive produced ‘Wednesday’, in which Ortega played the titular role.

A long road to the sequel

Back in 2013, Ryder hinted that a sequel was potentially in the works.

“I’m kind of sworn to secrecy but it sounds like it might be happening. It’s 27 years later. And I have to say, I love Lydia Deetz so much. She was such a huge part of me. I would be really interested in what she is doing 27 years later,” she told The Daily Beast at the time.

A year later, Burton echoed a similar sentiment and said that a script was in the works.

“It’s a character that I love and I miss actually working with Michael. 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,” he told Comingsoon.net