Michael Keaton Says Jenna Ortega Was ‘Born to Play’ ‘Beetlejuice 2’ Role

In close to three decades, the long-awaited sequel to Beetlejuice 2 is finally happening: The original movie, released in 1988, became a cult favorite because of the great humor, horror, and eccentric characters associated with this series. Beetlejuice played by Michael Keats – a funny and naughty ghost – was an instant hit and too iconic for words. More than a year and a half from now in 2022, we are back once again to discover the secrets of the underworld in Beetlejuice Two where a few cast members of the original return including Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara. However, most chatter focuses on the added performer, Jenna Ortega.

Michael Keaton, the actor who is back as Beetlejuice 2, has remarked that Jenna Ortega was ‘destined’ to play her character in the sequel. This comment has raised several eyebrows and interest from admirers. She was just a little girl, even not born at the time when the first film came out, how on earth did she so splendidly fit in? The narrative about why she was cast and why Keaton is so supportive gives good insight into the film that has generated a lot of eagerness significantly.

A Sequel Decades in the Making

Beetlejuice 2, or a sequel to the 1988 Tim Burton cult movie, has been planned for a long time. Since the original film impressed, the fans have been waiting for this continuation for a while. However, the challenge of bringing a sequel to such a popular movie has its issues. The actor Michael Keaton himself has issues from the start. Michael Keaton knows it and even directed Tim Burton. They did not take it lightly. Often, sequels don’t have the spirit that the first one had and they were not willing to destroy their work.

Keaton acknowledged that many years were spent discussing whether or not to make the sequel, and how many times he seriously tried to promote it. Sometimes, he was the only one fighting for this, and sometimes there were no more doubts about it anyway. “There was a time when I was the only one saying I think I’d like to do it again,” Keaton said in a recent interview. However, over the years, the concept was revived. In the end, they came up with an approach that satisfied the better comparison, that of the two sequels.

Revisiting an Iconic Character

For Keaton, one of the greatest hurdles, however, was returning to the character of Beetlejuice 2 after such a long time. The man is also very renowned for his erratic character which Keaton had to find again. He was reminded of how most of the typical Beetlejuice 2 behavioral patterns and looks were improvised. The wacky hairdo, the unique accent, and several catchphrases were all extemporized.

Keaton disclosed that a tinge of apprehensiveness arose in him for being perfect once more. He went to the extent of watching the first film to remember the little peculiarities of the character. “I thought, wait a minute, I need to go look at this again.” Once again, when he came back to the film, it was all there for him. The voice, the mood, the drive – everything was present. But then there was the strain of having to give a performance that old fans would appreciate and new audiences would not be disappointed.

The Perfect New Addition: Jenna Ortega

But when it was time to look for an actress who could portray the character of Lydia Deetz’s daughter, the creatives were sure this time they would need a pretty good actress. One of the characters worth remembering from the original motion picture was Lydia, who was played by Winona Ryder. Along with her gothic costumes, dominating loneliness and connection with supernatural forces contributed to her popular image as a cult figure. Therefore, to find a daughter the search would be for someone who can also capture that and even more.

Jenna Ortega stepped in. Jenna has been carving out a niche in insanity-driven roles in various films such as Scream and the series Wednesday. The character’s scripts portray Jenna as a dark and intricate person and that is why she perfectly fits in the universe of Beetlejuice 2. Still, even with the glowing filmography of the actress, most people were not expecting to see praises such as these from Keaton regarding Jenna.

During interviews, Keaton has consistently stated that this is the role Jenna was ‘meant to play’. He stated that she blended into the world of the film easily. “It’s just about how complementary she is. It’s like she had to be,” mentioned Keaton. “She came in, and I said, ‘Oh yeah, she has this down.’” He stated that Jenna knew the essence of the film and the story’s roots, but managed to add an interesting twist to her character.

A Seamless Fit

Keaton’s belief in Jenna Ortega’s acting abilities is quite obvious. He said that she was able to place herself into this film perfectly. Such fitting in is very few in Hollywood, especially in a sequel to a well-received film. Usually, the newcomers fail to live up to the image created by the original cast, however, Jenna does not only impress the fans but the actors she works with too.

It is not only about acting that Keaton explains why Jenna is great but also about what she is aware of and how much she knows of the Beetlejuice 2 character and the film. He stated that she is very intelligent and also very perceptive, which are necessary tools for stepping through the odd dark comedy that is the picture. This is exactly why Amanda was ideal for the role, for she was quick to pick up the subtleties of the character, and this is evident in her performance.

The Emotional Return of the Original Cast

Although Jenna Ortega’s involvement has injected new life, the fact that original actors like Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara are back brings a certain warmth. As per Keaton, it became a very touching experience to see those actors again. Even though that felt quite emotionally high for him, he described this feeling it was to come on the set of the Deetz house and seeing it as it was done in the previous film only. He may not be visible in those scenes but the recreation of the same set and circumstances brought back deja vu for his character.

Winona and Catherine, who were featured in the mentioned episodes, recounted how incredible it was to return to that world. It was for them not solely the act of going back into the nostalgic space but looking at how everything had been painstakingly recreated. This strongly attests to how much respect the filmmakers had for the original film but at the same time created something fresh.

The Challenges of Making a Sequel

There are various difficulties linked to making a follow-up of films like Beetlejuice 2. For instance, perhaps one of the greatest difficulties is to satisfy the expectations of the fans. Original Beetlejuice 2 is well received due to its unique plot, humor, and other characteristics. Retaining that same excellence while trying to incorporate new aspects within the new versions of the films is a tricky affair.

Keaton and Burton knew this all too well, and they understood that if they were going to do a sequel it had to be for the right reasons. It was not primarily a case of making money from the work, but rather it was about the presentation of a story that deserved to be told. And this is the reason why the sequel took such a time to be put into place. Keaton said that there were years when absolutely nothing happened, and some burdened with the task even thought about scrapping for the time being. But in the end, everything came together, and he says the outcome is a far superior film than the first.

A New Chapter in the ‘Beetlejuice’ Legacy

The sequel is, indeed, an extension of the overall plot of Beetlejuice‘s animated features. It is rather a new page of the history book thanks to the return of such familiar characters and the appearance of new ones. The film, no doubt, seeks to appeal to both the veteran fans and the new ones. Particularly, the part in which Jenna Ortega is in charge. She plays Lydia’s Daughter, an inter-generational connection that adds something new and useful to the old story.

Keaton believes Jenna is going to shine in the film. His commentary that she was ‘born for the part’ clearly indicates that she has taken on the character of Beetlejuice 2 and made it herself. This is important because the film relies so much on the distinctive characters of its actors.