Winona Ryder on Returning for ‘Beetlejuice 2’: “One of the More Special Experiences of My Life”

As a hardcore gamer and a diehard fan of Tim Burton, I couldn’t help but feel like a kid on Christmas morning as I watched the events unfold at the 81st Venice Film Festival. The anticipation for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has been building for years, and seeing Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton reunite after all these decades was nothing short of magical.

The 81st Venice Film Festival kicked off with an eerie and exciting beginning. Tim Burton’s highly anticipated follow-up to his horror comedy “Beetlejuice” – titled “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” had its first press screening as the opening film for the glamorous Italian festival this morning, drawing a large crowd.

Burton and his stellar cast, consisting of returning actors Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder, as well as Catherine O’Hara, Jenna Ortega, Willem Defoe, Justin Theroux, and Monica Belluci, made their debut at Venice’s press hall for a collective discussion about the creation of their long-awaited project.

Ryder shared that one thing she enjoyed greatly was being able to gaze into your eyes once more, when asked about their reunion after 36 years since they worked together on the original Beetlejuice, she mentioned that the ambiance on set for the sequel reminded her of how she felt as a 16-year-old working with Burton and Keaton on the first film in 1988.

She shared that her affection and faith in Tim are incredibly profound, and there was an undercurrent of mischievousness and willingness to take risks, she expressed. It’s as if you’re enveloped in a bubble of security, yet at the same time, you feel utterly liberated.

At the Venice Film Festival, actress Winona Ryder talks about reprising her role as Lydia Deetz in the sequel to ‘Beetlejuice’, titled ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’, following a 36-year gap.
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) August 28, 2024

In summary, discussing her experience with the sequel, she expressed it as “one of the most memorable events of my lifetime.”

A reporter from Italy observed a sense of joy pervading the atmosphere during the morning’s press viewing, and inquired about Keaton’s method for portraying his character’s aging and development, having worked on this role for over three decades.

“He casually implied that his character’s growth is evident,” he quipped, flashing a familiar sarcastic grin. “Compared to the first version, I believe he’s even more debonair and considerate in this one. His overall compassion, understanding of social norms, and awareness of political correctness really shine through.”

At the Venice Film Festival, Michael Keaton playfully remarks on the development of his character Beetlejuice from the 1988 film to its new iteration, saying it has transformed into “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice.”
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) August 28, 2024

Added Burton: “When people ask how Beetlejuice’s character has evolved, we just start laughing.”

The movie “Beetlejuice” revolves around Lydia Deetz (played by Ryder) and her family moving back into their unique, haunted house following a sad event. Trouble arises when their daughter, Astrid (Ortega), inadvertently creates a gateway to the spirit world, where Beetlejuice dwells. The movie’s teaser trailer premiered in March, with Keaton exclaiming to a startled Ryder, “The magic has been unleashed!”

The first reviews for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice won’t be released until later in the day in Italy after Burton and the cast walk the red carpet for the world premiere at Venice’s Sala Grande cinema. Warner Bros. Is likely feeling bullish about the movie’s commercial prospects, though, as the most recent tracking has the film opening as high as $80 million at the North American box office when it flies into theaters on Sept. 6 — which would be one of the biggest September debuts of all time, not adjusted for inflation.

Winona Ryder on Returning for ‘Beetlejuice 2’: “One of the More Special Experiences of My Life”

2024-08-28 14:24

Read More