When you think of classic horror comedies, you definitely think of the 1980s, the decade where the genre was mostly born; you have “Ghostbusters,” “Gremlins,” “Critters,” and of course “Beetlejuice” by Tim Burton, arguably one of the masters of all things macabre and comedic and a genre unto himself. And while it took Burton almost four decades to make a sequel to his Michael Keaton-starring classic—about a malicious spirit (Beetlejuice) hired to drive out an unbearable family that has moved into the home of a recently deceased couple— he’s finally returning with “Beetlejuice 2,” aka “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” in the fall.
READ MORE: Summer Movie Preview: 50 Must-See Films To Watch
Burton directs based on a screenplay by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (“Wednesday”), a story by Gough & Millar and Seth Grahame-Smith (“The LEGO Batman Movie”), based on characters created by Michael McDowell & Larry Wilson, the original screenwriters.
Keaton returns to his iconic role alongside Oscar nominee Winona Ryder (“Stranger Things,” “Little Women”) as Lydia Deetz and two-time Emmy winner Catherine O’Hara (“Schitt’s Creek,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas”) as Delia Deetz, with new cast members Justin Theroux (“The Leftovers”), Monica Bellucci (“Spectre,” “The Matrix” films), Arthur Conti (“House of the Dragon”) in his feature film debut, with Emmy nominee Jenna Ortega (“Wednesday,” “Scream VI”) as Lydia’s daughter, Astrid, and Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe (“Poor Things,” ”At Eternity’s Gate”).
Here’s the official synopsis:
After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic, and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times, and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.
Oscar-nominated composer Danny Elfman (“Big Fish,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Batman”), one of Burton’s chief collaborators throughout his career, returns for the sequel. The new teaser poster takes a jab at how long the sequel came to be with a cheeky tagline, “You’ve waited an eternity for this.”
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” arrives in theaters on September 7 via Warner Bros. Watch the new trailer below.
