Altogether now: Daaaaaayo! Yes, with a version of the opening call of Harry Belafonte’s ‘Banana Boat Song,’ the first teaser for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice announces its intention to A) continue the story of the 1988 film and B) unleash fresh chaos from Michael Keaton’s Ghost with the Most. Take a look:
Burton, of course, is back to direct once more, with the likes of Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara reprising their roles alongside Keaton, and new recruits including Wednesday‘s Jenna Ortega (that show’s Alfred Gough and Miles Millar wrote the script).
It has been a long old road back to screens for Keaton’s classic character (the second to return in as many years following a certain Caped Crusader), and after decades in development, this has a lot to live up to. Or a lot to die down to? It is Beetlejuice, after all.
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 (Ryder) life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Ortega), 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.”
Could that “unexpected death” be the passing of Jeffrey Jones’ Charles Deetz, a way to sidestep the casting of Jones, who was arrested in 2002 for possessing child pornography? It’s a fair bet.
With Monica Bellucci and Willem Dafoe also set to show up, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will be on screens on 6 September.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
