It has taken more than 30 years to get here, but it seems that Beetlejuice 2 may finally be happening, or at least on the road to happening. According to a recent report from The Ankler, Warner Bros. has partnered with Brad Pitt’s production company Plan B on the long-gestating sequel, which has given it a new life at the studio. This means we could well be seeing the iconic character back on the big screen (or possibly on HBO Max) sooner rather than later. While much remains to be determined, let’s go over what has been confirmed up to this point
First off, no director has been attached, and a script has not yet been written. At least not a new one. At one point in the ’90s, Warner Bros. was pursuing one titled Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian, which didn’t pan out. Tim Burton directed the original 1988 classic, and there is no word on whether or not he would be eyed to return. But Pitt, one of the biggest A-list stars in the business, is producing, which should certainly help give the project a kick in the pants.
Now, as far as who seems poised to return? Per the report, Michael Keaton is likely to return as the title character, with Winona Ryder also supposedly on board to return as Lydia Deetz. There is no word yet on whether or not Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Catherine O’Hara, or anyone else from the original would sign on as well. But having those two back in the saddle would make this a good and proper sequel, that much is certain.
Even though a script hasn’t been completed, production could begin as soon as this summer. Perhaps one of the previous scripts will get reworked, or someone else is quietly writing a new one as we speak. Either way, it seems as soon as a guy like Brad Pitt gets involved, things begin to happen in a hurry. Mike Vukadinovich (Rememory) had penned a previous draft, with Seth Grahame-Smith (Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter) also having worked on it in the past.
Now for the big question: will this be made specifically for streaming, or will it be intended for theatrical release? One might assume this would be poised for theaters given that the original was such a big hit in its day and has gone on to become a true horror/comedy classic. That said, Warner Bros. is genuinely trying to beef up its offerings on HBO Max, and it’s tough to say what a sequel to Beetlejuice 30 plus years after the fact would be able to conjure up at the box office. Streaming might be the safe bet, but really, depending on how this all shakes out, it could go either way.
Beetlejuice 2 does not currently have a release date.
