Beetlejuice 2 set pics show Winona Ryder reprising the role of Lydia Deetz

Last Updated on June 6, 2023

Production is officially underway on director Tim Burton‘s long-awaited sequel to his 1988 classic Beetlejuice (watch it HERE) – and spy pics snapped on the Beetlejuice 2 set have given us our first look at Winona Ryder, reprising the role of the “strange and unusual” Lydia Deetz! These images can be seen in the Twitter embed at the bottom of this article.

Beetlejuice 2 was in development hell for decades. In 1990, Jonathan Gems was hired to write a sequel that was going to be titled Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian. Burton considered having Daniel Waters rewrite that script, Pamela Norris did rewrite it, and Warner Bros. offered Kevin Smith the chance to do another rewrite. He turned it down. Seth Grahame-Smith was hired to write and produce a new version of a sequel in 2011. Mike Vukadinovich was brought on to rewrite his script in 2017.

Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, co-creators and co-showrunners of Netflix’s hit series Wednesday, have written the screenplay for Beetlejuice 2 that is actually being filmed. Plot details are being kept under wraps. Brad Pitt’s Plan B is producing the sequel, which is filming in London.

In addition to Ryder returning to the role of Lydia, Beetlejuice 2 also stars Catherine O’Hara, back as Lydia’s stepmother Delia; Jenna Ortega as Lydia’s daughter, Monica Bellucci as Beetlejuice’s wife, Willem Dafoe as a law enforcement officer in the afterlife, and Justin Theroux in an unspecified role. And yes, of course, Michael Keaton is reprising the role of the titular ghoul.

We’ve also heard a rumor that Jean-Claude Van Damme might show up in the movie as a ghost, but that has never been confirmed.

Written by Michael McDowell and Warren Skaaren from a story McDowell crafted with Larry Wilson, the original Beetlejuice has the following synopsis: What’s a yuppie ghost couple to do when their quaint New England home is overrun by trendy New Yorkers? They hire a freelance ‘bio-exorcist’ to spook the intruders. And everyone gets more than he, she or it bargained for! Director Tim Burton teams with Michael Keaton. The result? ‘Keaton’s Beetlejuice is one of the biggest, baddest wolves a ghost movie has ever unleashed, a polter-gas’ (The Village Voice). He’s a juggernaut of jokes, jolts and jive who hurls one-liners, spins into grotesque forms, gobbles insects and can’t leave ladies (living or dead) alone. So exorcise your right to fun. Say the ‘B’ word three times and have a wonderful Day-O! 

Beetlejuice 2 is heading toward a September 6, 2024 theatrical release. Are you looking forward to the movie, and are you glad to see Winona Ryder back in the role of Lydia Deetz? Let us know by leaving a comment below!