Itching for more? We have a new trailer to feast our eyes upon scream queen Jenna Ortega taking on yet another acting role from the pantheon of cult-classic gothic fantasy films. The 21-year-old actress has reconnected with her Wednesday producer and director Tim Burton to join the film follow-up to his 80s blockbuster Beetlejuice – a sequel almost 30 years in the making.
Beetlejuice 2 will mark Ortega's second time collaborating with Burton, after the duo worked together on the popular first season of Netflix's Wednesday, where she learned to fence, play cello and speak German for the role of gothic darling Wednesday Addams. Ortega's portrayal earned her Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award nominations, so if the pair's first collaboration is anything to go by, we are excited to see them reunite.
Watch the new trailer
Who is in the cast?
Ortega is confirmed to play the daughter of the original film's temperamental teenager Lydia Deetz, portrayed of course by Winona Ryder. Ryder is slated to revisit her iconic role for the sequel, and Michael Keaton is also reprising his iconic part as the titular ghoul. In fact, Burton said he wouldn't consider making a sequel if Keaton wasn't interesting in reprising the role.
We've also got Catherine O’Hara on board as Delia, Winona Ryder reprising her iconic leading role as Lydia, and Justin Theroux playing Rory.
Even more excitingly, the film will star Monica Bellucci, Arthur Conti (House of the Dragon) and Willem Dafoe. This, my friends, is what gothic film dreams are made of!
What is the plot of Beetlejuice 2?
The long-awaited sequel follows three generations of the Deetz family as they return home to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy. When Lydia's teenage daughter starts brewing some paranormal trouble, it's only a matter of time before Beetlejuice, who still haunts the home, returns to unleash mayhem.
What else is Jenna Ortega working on?
Adding Beetlejuice to Ortega's acting résumé would certainly cement her affinity for the macabre, having become something of a poster child for the horror and gothic genres as of late. She recently turned in some chilling performances for the sixth instalment of the post-modern horror franchise Scream, as well as in last year's A24 slasher X (alongside the genre's other newly ordained scream queen, Mia Goth).
She's also confirmed for a second season of Wednesday with Netflix, has become an ambassador for Dior Beauty's Gris Dior fragrance, and has announced an upcoming film project with The Weeknd.
When will it be released?
Beetlejuice 2 will be in cinemas from 6 September 2024.
