Jenna Ortega Meets Beetlejuice Fans with 30-Year Memorabilia

In the upcoming sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the characters from the beloved 1988 film are not only returning to the fictional town of Winter River, Conn., but the actors are also revisiting their original filming location.

This time, East Corinth, Vermont has once again become a key setting for the Tim Burton-directed sequel, set to debut in theaters on September 6. In an interview for Entertainment Weekly’s Around the Table series, Jenna Ortega, who portrays Lydia Deetz’s teenage daughter Astrid, shared a memorable experience from the shoot. She recounted how local residents still had memorabilia from the first film, including signed books and vintage photographs. “It was incredible to see locals with items from 30 years ago, like old notes from the original shoot,” Ortega said. “They had preserved so much from back then.”

During the filming, East Corinth also showcased the original Beetlejuice in its small movie theater throughout the week. Ortega described the surreal experience of filming in a town that felt like a real-life replica of the movie set. “It was as if we were inside the model of the town from the original film,” she added. Her mother was thrilled by the stories Ortega shared about the shoot.

The sequel picks up years after the events of the original film. Winona Ryder reprises her role as Lydia Deetz, who is now a single mother hosting a paranormal TV show called Ghost House. After her father's death, Lydia returns to Winter River with her stepmother Delia (played by Catherine O'Hara) to mourn and pay her respects. Their visit inadvertently opens a portal to the Afterlife, leading to the reappearance of the mischievous demon, Beetlejuice.

Reflecting on the creative process, Keaton mentioned that the sequel's development was more spontaneous compared to the first film. “Tim and I didn’t plan every detail as we did with the original,” Keaton noted. “Tim had an idea, and it evolved naturally. It’s rare to create something so distinct and artistic, which makes this sequel particularly special.”

The return to East Corinth and the effort to recreate the charm of the original film underscore the nostalgia and commitment driving the Beetlejuice franchise.