Summary

I already loved Tim Burton’sWednesday, but now that I know what this Netflix series inspired, my affection for it has only grown. TheAddams Familyspinoff was a fast hit when it began streaming in 2022, thrusting actor Jenna Ortega into the spotlight as never before.Wednesdaywas precisely the sort of project I would expect from Burton—dark and spooky with that clever touch of comedy and heart. As we wait for season 2, Burton has another big project on the way, and it seems we haveWednesdayto thank for this.

Before therelease ofWednesday, it had been a few years since Burton’s last definitive success with a movie or TV show. The director has several blockbusters under his belt, but he admitted (viaTotal Film) that he was beginning to feel a bit in a rut.Burton saidWednesdayhelped him remember why he likes “making things,“calling the experience quick and “invigorating.” It seems this got him thinking about how much his life had changed since he first started in showbusiness, which led to his decision to add a sequel to the belovedBeetlejuice.

A composite image of Jenna Ortega looking stoic with Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice screaming in the background

Beetlejuice 2: Release Date, Cast, Story, Trailer & Everything We Know

Beetlejuice 2 is arriving in 2024, and Michael Keaton is back as Beetlejucie alongside Jenna Ortega. Here’s all the Beetlejuice 2 news.

Tim Burton Decided To Do Beetlejuice 2 After Working On Netflix’s Wednesday

Burton Thought He Might Be Done With Movies (But Wednesday Changed Everything)

Netflix’sWednesdayis a fresh imagining of the iconicAddams Familydaughter, which meant Burton had much room for creative fun. After directing over 40 movies and TV shows, there’s no question that a lot has changed for Burton since the 1970s.The creative juices thatWednesdaygot flowing again apparently inspired Burtonto think about how things might have changed for some of his characters, especiallyBeetlejuice’s young Lydia Deetz, played by a 15-year-old Winona Ryder. After 35 years, what would Lydia be like today?

This idea was the spark that led toBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, the sequel to Burton’s 1988 hit. The upcoming film, which willstarWednesday’s Ortegaalongside Ryder (further indication of how muchWednesdayinspired Burton), is among the most highly anticipated of Burton’s career. As someone also eagerly awaiting the release ofBeetlejuice Beetlejuice,I feel greataffection and appreciation forWednesday. If it weren’t for this Netflix series, Burton’s belief that he would never make a movie again might not have been banished.

Collage of Jenna Ortega in Wednesday and Michael Keaton in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Why It Took So Long For Tim Burton To Make Beetlejuice 2

A Movie Like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Requires Creativity & Passion

The era of reboots and sequels has been going strong for quite some time now, so it’s a bit of a surprise that Burton didn’t consider aBeetlejuicesequel untilWednesdayin 2022. However, based on the director’s comments, some of his passion for movie-making had been stripped away. Burton is known for doing things differently, which means the bar has been set higher and higher with every project he does. With a project likeBeetlejuice, it wouldn’t be enough to do a sequel just for the sake of it. There must be heart and a fresh, unique idea.

With a project like Beetlejuice, it wouldn’t be enough to do a sequel just for the sake of it.

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Such a thing can’t be forced;Beetlejuice 2couldn’t happen without the right inspiration. Michael Keaton, who famously played the “ghost with the most” back in 1988 and returned to the role in 2024, shed some light on whyBeetlejuice Beetlejuicetook so long (viaPeople). Keaton said that, with a movie likeBeetlejuice,“You got to get this right. Otherwise, just don’t do it.“Burton’sBeetlejuice Beetlejuicerequired much creativity, with practical effects that needed passion and excitement. IfWednesdayis the spark that inspired such a creation, then we are eternally grateful.

Wednesday

Cast

Wednesday follows the journey of Wednesday Addams as she attends Nevermore Academy, a boarding school for outcasts. Tasked with mastering her psychic abilities, she confronts a series of town murders and a haunting family mystery from 25 years ago, all while managing new social dynamics.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the sequel to the original Tim Burton classic that starred Michael Keaton and Wynona Rider in a horror-comedy that involved ghosts trying to scare off new homebuyers from taking their house. The sequel brings back Michael Keaton as the hilarious and sleazy ghost with selfish intentions, now joined by Jenna Ortega in a new role.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Film Poster