Michael Keaton on Beetlejuice 2: A Risky Gamble

In a chat with Entertainment Weekly for the video series Around the Table, Michael Keaton, alongside some of his Beetlejuice Beetlejuice co-stars, discussed the upcoming sequel, set to hit theaters on September 6—36 years after the original film's release.

Keaton expressed some hesitation about the sequel, wondering if it might have been better to leave the beloved original alone. "I was concerned whether we should have just left it as is," he admitted. "Should we have said, 'Don’t touch it. Just move on and make new films'?"

Despite his initial reservations, Keaton is optimistic about the sequel, believing it could surpass the original. "This film might actually be better because it has a stronger story, is more emotional, and the cast is incredible," he noted. "Remaking something that initially worked by chance is a significant challenge."

Directed by Tim Burton, the sequel picks up with Winona Ryder's character, Lydia Deetz, now hosting a paranormal TV show called Ghost House and raising her teenage daughter, Astrid (played by Jenna Ortega). When Lydia’s father, Charles, passes away, three generations of Deetz women, including Lydia's stepmother Delia (portrayed by Catherine O'Hara), return to their Winter River home. Their arrival accidentally opens a portal to the Afterlife, leading to the resurrection of the mischievous demon, Beetlejuice, after someone says his name three times.

The sequel features Keaton alongside Ortega, Willem Dafoe as Afterlife policeman Wolf Jackson, Monica Bellucci as Beetlejuice’s demonic ex-wife Delores, and Justin Theroux as Lydia’s boyfriend and TV producer Rory in the Around the Table segment.

Reflecting on his career, Keaton remarked that if he had to choose a defining role, it would likely be Beetlejuice, appreciating its unique artistic impact. "Among the many good films I've been part of, Beetlejuice stands out for its artistic value," Keaton said, highlighting the special place the original film holds for him.