Since its release on March 30th, 1988, Beetlejuice has been a well-known and well-loved movie. With the movie making $8,030,897 in its opening weekend and coming in as the tenth highest grossing film of 1988, it is a movie that most people have either seen or at least heard of. So, the talk of the possibility of a sequel is a source of excitement to many fans. But it has been thirty-four years since the original Beetlejuice came out- what will be different? 

Rumors of Beetlejuice 2 have been going around for years. Whenever there is a big, well-loved movie there is talk of sequels and spin-offs. But since 1988, a majority of Beetlejuice fans have given up on the idea of a continuation to their favorite spooky movie. Well, luckily for fans, these rumors were finally confirmed by Winona Ryder, one of the lead actors in the original Beetlejuice. She was on Late Night with Seth Meyers, and they discussed it. This was in August of 2015. And now, seven years later, movies have actually been being made to make this movie possible. Plan B Entertainment, owned by Brad Pitt, has taken on production for Beetlejuice 2! 

One of the major issues with making sequels this many years later is that you see the original actors being replaced or become side characters. But not for Beetlejuice 2- Tim Burton reportedly said that Michael Keaton must reprise his role as Beetlejuice, or the movie isn’t being made. And not just Michael Keaton is coming back- Winona Ryder has confirmed herself that she will once again be playing Lydia Deetz. Knowing that the two most iconic roles in the movie are in experienced hands definitely makes people feel better about a thirty-four-years later sequel. But some newcomers will be there too, people like Will Arnett and David Harbor. Will Arnett is known for his role in Arrested Development and his voice work in shows like BoJack Horsemen. David Harbour is known for his role in Stranger Things. Working alongside Winona Ryder should be easy for David, coming off the filming of Stranger Things where he and Winona work together extensively. And the role David will be playing is reportedly the husband of Winona Ryder’s character, which is great for all the fans of Stranger Things that love when those two act as a couple.  

In the first Beetlejuice movie, the story ends with very few loose ends. Beetlejuice is back in the afterlife, and the Deetzes and the Maitlands are living in supposed harmony in the house. What could a sequel be about? Although no one can truly know what the movie will entail until its released, there is a plot-synopsis posted on the movies IMBD page. The synopsis says that Beetlejuice is “found homeless in the netherworld” and finds his “long-lost son”. Two things that certainly mean there will be a good amount of comedic and also heart-warming moments. And don’t worry- Lydia is still in the second movie. Now grown into an adult, Lydia is married to a “struggling real estate agent”. With returning characters and a new perspective on everything, it is exciting to see what this movie will really be made into compared to what little information we have now. 

Unfortunately, no-one quite knows when we will be able to see this sequel. With no set release date yet, the movie could be hitting theaters anytime from next year all the way to 2025. Tim Burton has a reputation for perfection when it comes to his work. Which is great for the fans who love his amazing movies, but also bad. Burtons knack for perfection means that his projects usually come around later rather than sooner.  

Beetlejuice 2 has taken over movie news this past week. But more locally, here is what some of Dakota’s students think about Beetlejuice 2: 

“I am so skeptical, I do not think it’s going to happen. And even if it does, sequels are always horrible and especially one made thirty-four years later” Ava Demers, 12 

“I’m very excited and I will definitely be seeing it in theaters. I grew up watching the first Beetlejuice so finding out that they are making a new one is really cool!” Anna Sulewski, 12 

“I don’t think I’ve ever even seen the first one. Wait, I for sure did see it. Yeah, I saw it!! Yeah, I hated that movie. I probably won’t watch the new one, but I guess it’s cool” Quinn Garrison, 12 

“I saw Beetlejuice the Musical on Broadway, it was really good. I saw the movie shortly after, which reminded me that I also saw a Beetlejuice skit performed at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. The playbill hangs in my room to remind me of my experiences with Beetlejuice. With that, I absolutely cannot wait for Beetlejuice two. Especially because I love Winona Ryder. She is so bad. I am so excited to see her as Lydia because Lydia is also bad. In conclusion, I’m extremely excited about Beetlejuice two” Mackenzie Patenaude, 12 

“I am very, very excited for it. I think it will be great” Sally Jones, 11 

“I am really excited for Beetlejuice two, I am a huge fan of Winona Ryder. She is so beautiful, and I love her work in movies like Edward Scissor hands and Heathers. I think she’s very talented and I’m excited to see her on the big screen again soon. Same with David Harbour. He is a very good actor, he has a very fatherly aura about him, I also love him and Winona together in Stranger Things. I just can’t wait to see how he portrays his character” -Ellie Snodgrass, 12 

So next time you are in a movie theater, keep your eyes peeled for a trailer showing off Beetlejuice- the sequel! And even if it comes out and is terrible, it will probably still be at least a little good because of the nostalgia! Beetlejuice 2 is a long-awaited sequel to a timeless classic, and it’s something that we will all get to experience soon!