In an interview with The Independent, director Tim Burton confirmed that his highly anticipated ‘Beetlejuice 2’ was nearly completed when the SAG-AFTRA strike shut down production on Jul 14. “I feel grateful we got what we got,” Burton stated. “Literally, it was a day and a half. We know what we have to do. It is 99 per cent done.”
“Beetlejuice 2” is the follow-up to the 1998 cult classic starring Michael Keaton. Also returning are original stars Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara, joined by “Wednesday” star Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, and Justin Theroux.
Burton has been publicly soured on working on large tentpole films, thanks primarily to his work on Disney’s ‘Dumbo,’ though he was happy to return to the world of ‘Beetlejuice.’ “On this last one, Beetlejuice 2, I really enjoyed it. I tried to strip everything and go back to the basics of working with good people and actors and puppets. It was kind of like going back to why I liked making movies.”
‘Beetlejuice 2‘ is scheduled for release on September 6, 2024.