“Pure Freedom”: Michael Keaton Confirms A Harsh Reality About Beetlejuice’s Movie Future

Actor Michael Keaton has turned the character of Betelgeuse into a pop culture icon, but he has just confirmed a harsh reality about Beetlejuice‘s movie future. The release of the long awaited sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has revived the franchise to the biggest point it has been at in years, with fans of Tim Burton’s comedy series crossing their fingers that more Beetlejuice projects will come in the future. However, Michael Keaton’s recent Beetlejuice news may have quelled some of these hopes, highlighting an important truth about the beloved 1980s franchise.

After years of waiting, a proper sequel to Beetlejuice is finally here, with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice now available on streaming. While a sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 classic has famously had a troubled development, with the film being Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian for most of its life, 2024 finally saw the movie get finished. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice managed to bring the cast of the original Beetlejuice back and update their stories for the 2020s, and with the film being one of the highest-grossing movies of the year, many fans can’t wait for a third Beetlejuice movie to be released.

Beetlejuice 2 Further Confirms That Michael Keaton Is The Only Person To Play Betelgeuse

Tim Burton Wouldn’t Do It Without Him

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a fantastic continuation of the original film, and while all of the returning Beetlejuice actors are great, the sequel confirms that Michael Keaton is the only person who can play Betelgeuse. In the behind-the-scenes featurettes that come with the sequel’s digital release, director Tim Burton confirms time and time again that the movie would not have happened if Keaton had not agreed to return as Betelgeuse. This means that a Beetlejuice 3 would be unlikely without Keaton, showing that the future of the franchise truly hinges on the actor’s involvement.

Burton’s dedication to Michael Keaton is understandable, as the actor was able to seamlessly step back into the role after over three decades. Michael Keaton brings the exact same energy and charm to Betelgeuse that was present in the first film, and the fact that he did it so flawlessly is impressive. Michael Keaton being the star of Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice and Batman franchises proves how integral Keaton was to Tim Burton’s successes, so it is doubtful that anything could split the duo up in the Beetlejuice franchise’s future.

How Michael Keaton Transformed Betelgeuse Into An Iconic Character

He Had A Lot Of Sway In Developing Betelgeuse

Michael Keaton’s performance was integral in turning Betelgeuse into an iconic character, as can be seen in the “The Ghost with the Most: Beetlejuice Returns!” extra that came with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice‘s digital release. In the featurette, Keaton explains that he had “pure freedom” when developing the character of Betelgeuse in the first film. The movement, mannerisms, and behavior of Betelgeuse were heavily influenced by Michael Keaton, with him also constantly improvising lines and gags throughout the film’s development. Thus, much of who Betelgeuse is can be credited to Michael Keaton.

Keaton goes on to talk about returning to the role in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and how it differed from the original film. Keaton describes having less creative freedom in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, with this being due to the fact that he had to stick to the character that he and Burton had established in the original film. While there was less improv, Michael Keaton was still integral to the character of Betelgeuse, highlighting how important he is to the franchise’s continued success.

Would The Beetlejuice Movies Ever Recast Betelgeuse?

It Is Unlikely As Long As Tim Burton Is Around

Due to how closely Michael Keaton and Betelgeuse are associated, many fans have wondered if the franchise would ever recast the character. The answer is probably no, at least if it wants to have Tim Burton involved. Tim Burton’s insistence on Michael Keaton returning proves how much he wants the actor to play Betelgeuse. Since he wouldn’t make Beetlejuice Beetlejuice without Keaton, it is doubtful that Burton would make Beetlejuice 3 without the actor.

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However, it is always possible that the franchise could continue without Tim Burton or Michael Keaton, meaning that the character would be recast. While Tim Burton undoubtedly has a lot of control over the character of Betelgeuse, it is always possible that Warner Bros. could move away from Burton in order to continue the franchise. This would give the studio the freedom to recast the titular ghost in another Beetlejuice sequel, although most fans of the franchise would probably be wholly against this.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the sequel to the original Tim Burton classic that starred Michael Keaton and Wynona Rider in a horror-comedy that involved ghosts trying to scare off new homebuyers from taking their house. The sequel brings back Michael Keaton as the hilarious and sleazy ghost with selfish intentions, now joined by Jenna Ortega in a new role.

Release Date

September 6, 2024

Studio(s)

KatzSmith Productions , Tim Burton Productions , Warner Bros. Pictures , Plan B Entertainment

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Writers

Alfred Gough , Miles Millar , Mike Vukadinovich , Seth Grahame-Smith , Michael McDowell , Larry Wilson

Cast

Michael Keaton , Winona Ryder , Catherine O’Hara , Jenna Ortega , Justin Theroux , Willem Dafoe , Monica Bellucci , Arthur Conti , Nick Kellington , Santiago Cabrera , Burn Gorman , Danny DeVito , Sami Slimane , Amy Nuttall , Mark Heenehan , Charlie Hopkinson , Liv Spencer , Skylar Park , Matthew Lyons , Jane Leaney , David Ayres , Sophie Holland , Walles Hamonde

Character(s)

Beetlejuice , Lydia Deetz , Delia Deetz , Astrid Deetz , Rory , Wolf Jackson , Delores , Jeremy , Bob-Shrinker , Richard , Father Damien , Janitor , Le Tigre , Jane Butterfield , Clive , Olga , Littler Jane , Dave-Shrinker , Jeremy’s Mom , Jeremy’s Dad , Hot Dog Lady on a Stick , Glen

Runtime

104 Minutes

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