The now confirmed Beetlejuice sequel, which at present is known simply as Beetlejuice 2, continues to round out its supporting cast, adding Malèna and The Matrix Reloaded star Monica Bellucci as the wife of the titular ghoul. As per a report by The Hollywood Reporter, the Mafia Mamma star will join the likes of Michael Keaton and Jenna Ortega in the long, long-awaited follow-up, which is now in production over at Warner Bros. Pictures.
Monica Bellucci is well-known both in the United States and internationally for roles in such critically acclaimed Italian and French movies like Malèna, Brotherhood of the Wolf, and Irréversible as well as roles in such major blockbusters as The Matrix Reloaded and its sequel The Matrix Revolutions, the James Bond outing Spectre, and the action flick Shoot ‘Em Up. No doubt she will make a very welcome addition to the world of Beetlejuice, with her role as Beetlejuice’s wife bringing a brand-new element to the sequel.
Released way, way back in the before time of 1988, Beetlejuice is directed by Tim Burton, and written by Michael McDowell, Larry Wilson, and Warren Skaaren. Starring Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, and Michael Keaton, this gothic tale ghosts and ghouls begins when newly deceased couple, Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin as Barbara and Adam Maitland respectively, contact the devious “bio-exorcist” Beetlejuice, bringing him up from the Netherworld in order to scare away the new inhabitants of their old house — a house they are currently haunting.
Beetlejuice 2 Is Now Officially in the Works at Warner Bros.
Rumors of a Beetlejuice sequel have been circulating for years – decades even – with director Tim Burton beginning work on a follow-up as far back as 1990 with the ill-fated Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian. After years and years of speculation, Beetlejuice 2 is now officially in the works at Warner Bros., with both director Tim Burton and star Michael Keaton set to return.
While details of the plot are currently a mystery, it has been revealed that Burton will reunite with Wednesday star Jenna Ortega. Ortega will take the lead in Beetlejuice 2, playing the daughter of Winona Ryder’s character from the original movie. It has not yet been confirmed whether any other stars from the original, such as Winona Ryder or Geena Davis, will appear in the sequel.
One crucial comeback that has been confirmed however is Academy Award nominated composter Danny Elfman, who has stated that he will return and cannot wait to once again see Michael Keaton as the mischievous ghost. “That’s the beauty of the Beetlejuice makeup,” Elfman said recently. “He already looked like he was 150 in the first one. It’s perfect, you know? Everybody else has to play the next generation, except for Michael. I mean, he’s still like really fit and really active and really on it. And with the Beetlejuice makeup, I can’t even imagine it’s going to look like he’s changed practically at all.”
Beetlejuice 2 is now scheduled to be released on September 6, 2024.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
