Michael Keaton, the original ghost with the most, is gearing up to dust off his striped suit and reprise his role as Beetlejuice, but with a twist. In a world where CGI has become the go-to for movie magic, Keaton and director Tim Burton have decided to take a step back in time for the “Beetlejuice” sequel, opting for a more “handmade” approach to special effects. Yes, you heard it right: less computer wizardry and more good old-fashioned movie-making magic.
In an interview with People, Keaton spilled the ectoplasm on their creative decision to avoid the CGI-heavy route that dominates today’s cinematic landscape. The duo, who clearly share a brainwave, made it their mission to ensure that if Beetlejuice were to haunt our screens once again, it would be through the charm of practical effects. Keaton reminisced about the original film’s charm, where the magic came from people actually “holding something up for you” rather than talking to a tennis ball on a stick in front of a green screen.
Set to premiere on September 6, the sequel promises a delightful reunion with Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara returning as Lydia and Delia Deetz. The cast also welcomes new faces, including Jenna Ortega as Lydia’s daughter, with Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, and Justin Theroux adding to the spectral splendor. It seems like the Deetz family tree has grown, and with Ortega’s character introduction, Beetlejuice’s world is set to expand in intriguing ways.
Ortega, too, has teased the sequel’s “cool” and “visually exciting” aspects, echoing Keaton’s sentiments about the satisfaction of working with practical effects. She gushed about the “instant gratification” of seeing the set come to life, a stark contrast to the often sterile environment of CGI-laden productions. It’s clear that the team behind “Beetlejuice 2” is crafting a film that aims to recapture the tactile, whimsical essence that made the original a cult classic.
With a star-studded cast and a creative team determined to bring the underworld to life through practical magic, “Beetlejuice 2” is shaping up to be a sequel worth waiting for. Keaton’s excitement is palpable, and if his and Ortega’s words are anything to go by, audiences are in for a treat that’s as refreshingly tangible as it is entertaining. So, polish your handbook for the recently deceased and prepare for a trip back to the netherworld where CGI takes a backseat to good, old-fashioned ghostly fun. Beetlejuice is back, and he’s as real as it gets.
