Michael Keaton Doesn't Sound Too Optimistic About That 'Beetlejuice' Sequel

For the past long while, there have been rumblings of a sequel to “Beetlejuice,” with Seth Grahame-Smith and David Katzenberg hired to pen the script. Tim Burton has been cautious but seemingly supportive to the prospect of returning to the world he conjured in the 1988 original, while Winona Ryder has also been enthusiastic about playing Lydia all over again. But none of this can happen unless Michael Keaton returns to reprise the title role, and right now, he’s a bit wary of trying to recapture lighting in a bottle.

Speaking with Variety, the actor explained why a sequel would be a tough nut to crack.

“The only way to do it is to do it right. So much of it was improvised and so much was beautifully handmade by the artist that is Tim Burton. If you can’t get close to that, you leave it alone,” Keaton explained. “There are certain movies that are like Indian burial grounds. You never ride over them. Bad shit happens if you cross that. You don’t touch certain things. They are sacred.”

READ MORE: Why Hollywood Needs To Question Their Faith In Remakes

Adding that “it’s possible that ship has sailed,” Keaton doesn’t seem to have much faith in a viable sequel, and I don’t blame him. Attempting to recapture that particular energy and creativity over two decades later would be a monumental job, and in light of Keaton earning the kind of acclaim that arguably escaped him in his younger days, I could see why he might be resistant.

Bummer? Do you think “Beetlejuice” still has some life left in it? Let us know below.