The 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival started off with the world premiere of the long-awaited sequel “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” directed by Tim Burton. The film reunites key cast members from the 1988 original, including Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice, Catherine O’Hara, and Winona Ryder. Burton stated that he wanted to make this sequel for personal reasons, as he had become disillusioned with the film industry in recent years. This project was a way for him to fall back in love with the filmmaking process.
Despite the success of the original “Beetlejuice,” Burton admitted that he never quite understood why it was so popular. He didn’t even watch the first film to prepare for the sequel, as he believed he remembered the spirit well enough. The sequel, set 36 years after the original, brings back Ryder’s Lydia, who is now hosting a ghost-hunting TV show, along with her stepmother Delia and surly teen Astrid. The film was made with a scrappy and improvisational energy, with the cast and crew often creating puppets on the spot.
The sequel features new additions to the cast, including Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe, and Monica Bellucci. Ortega, who plays Lydia’s teen daughter Astrid, expressed her admiration for Burton and his trust in her. Ryder, who first played Lydia at 15, described returning to the role as a dream come true, highlighting the playful and collaborative atmosphere on set. The film also pays homage to Italian and Spanish cinema and includes references to the director’s favorite “dumb movies.”
Burton emphasized that “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” was a labor of love for him, focusing on things he loved doing, in the way he loved doing them, with people he loved working with. The film was not made with the intention of winning awards but rather to enjoy the process of creating a fun and unique project. Premiering out of competition at the Venice Film Festival, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” marks the start of a busy 10 days on the Lido, with many other celebrities expected to attend the event. The festival runs through September 7.
The Venice Film Festival continues to attract a star-studded lineup, with actors like George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Lady Gaga, and Angelina Jolie expected to grace the red carpet in the coming days. For more coverage of the 2024 Venice Film Festival, visit the festival’s official website. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” represents a return to form for Tim Burton, showcasing his unique vision and bringing back beloved characters from the original film in a fresh and entertaining way.
