Jenna Ortega is reportedly in line for a role in Tim Burton‘s belated follow-up to his 1988 fantasy/horror/comedy Beetlejuice. She’s in talks to play the daughter of Lydia Deetz, portrayed by Winona Ryder in the original film, and if she signs on, will join Michael Keaton, who will reprise his role as the title character.
A potential sequel has been talked about for years, with surprisingly little traction until recently. Brad Pitt‘s production company Plan B officially boarded it in February of last year, and things now look to be rolling.
The original film revolves around the Deetz family, who inhabit a home previously occupied by the Maitlands, who recently died in a car accident. But their ghost selves want to re-inhabit their former house. So they recruit Beetlejuice, a ‘bio-exorcist,’ to scare away the Deetzes.
The film was met with acclaim and became a cult classic, and helped launch Burton’s career to the stratosphere. He would direct Batman the very next year.
Talks of a sequel surfaced in 2013, when Keaton confirmed that he and Burton were talking about a potential follow-up. Burton said the next year that he missed the character of Beetlejuice, saying:
“There’s only one Beetlejuice, and that’s Michael. There is a script, and I would love to work with him again. I think there is now a better chance than ever. I miss that character. There’s something that’s cathartic and amazing about it. I think it’s closer than ever.”
Ryder then re-confirmed that the film was in the works on a Late Night With Seth Meyers appearance in 2015. But news was slow until Plan B’s announcement last year. Fans will hope that now, with concrete casting news and a real production start date likely looming, the sequel is no longer a pipe dream.
Ortega makes total sense as the new young lead of the film, as she is probably best known for starring in Netflix’s Wednesday, where she collaborated with Burton, who served as an executive producer on the series while also directing four episodes.
Ortega also has plenty of interesting projects lined up, including crime thriller Finestkind, drama Miller’s Girl, and romantic drama Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall. She can currently be seen in cinemas in Scream VI.
#Peace.Love.Beetlejuice
