If we’ve learned anything from the new Ghostbusters, it’s never say never. So while Beetlejuice 2 has been in development for years now, it’s would not be wise to count the film out as one of those films people talk about forever but never actually make. And indeed, when Collider’s own Christina Radish spoke with Winona Ryder recently in anticipation of her upcoming Netflix series Stranger Things, the actress gave a brief update on the status of Beetlejuice 2 and also discussed the oddity of having her past films become reimagined for a reboot or TV series:
“I don’t really know what’s going on with that. Obviously, it was an iconic film. The only way it could really ever be done is with Tim [Burton] and Michael [Keaton]. I don’t know. There’s something that really resonates with all ages, with that film. It’s interesting. I think it would be great if it happened, if it was the right circumstances. Gosh, you know you’re getting older when they’re making TV shows, sequels or plays for things that you did. It’s very flattering and very humbling, indeed. I heard they were making another Little Women. Mine was the fifth one, so that’s kudos to Louisa May Alcott. It’s just very flattering.”
When we spoke with Burton a couple of months ago, the filmmaker was definitely still interested in returning to the world of Beetlejuice, but reiterated that in order for them to make Beetlejuice 2, the script has to be absolutely right, and it doesn’t sound like it’s there just yet.
Burton commissioned a screenplay for a sequel when his Dark Shadows screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith pitched the idea, with Burton taking a “no harm, no foul” approach re: letting Grahame-Smith pen the script with no obligation to actually make the thing. While it doesn’t sound like that screenplay was quite right, it does sound like Burton and all involved now have the itch to return. The key is finding the right way back.
What do you think, folks? Do you want to see Beetlejuice 2? Sound off in the comments below.
