The wait is finally over for Beetlejuice fans, as the first teaser trailer for Tim Burton’s long-awaited sequel “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” has arrived, unleashing the mischievous bio-exorcist after a 36-year absence. The 1 minute, 16-second clip provides tantalizing glimpses of the return of iconic characters and the film’s signature quirky, supernatural style.
Set to an ethereal choral rendition of the classic “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song),” the teaser reintroduces Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz, now grown with a teenage daughter of her own named Astrid, played by Jenna Ortega. Catherine O’Hara also reprises her role as Lydia’s eccentric stepmother Delia.
The preview culminates with the grand reappearance of Michael Keaton’s titular ghost, Beetlejuice, opening his arms wide to declare “The Juice is loose” in his trademark raspy voice.
While plot details are still largely under wraps, the official synopsis reveals that after a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz clan return to their hometown of Winter River.
When Lydia’s rebellious daughter Astrid inadvertently reopens a portal to the afterlife, it’s only a matter of time before Beetlejuice’s name is uttered three times, summoning the demonic trickster back to wreak havoc once again.
The glimpses of the enchanted covered bridge, model town, and ominous soundtrack cues all evoke the delightfully bizarre charm of the 1988 original. Fans can expect Burton’s signature twisted visuals blending horror and comedy as the meddling ghost inevitably stirs up trouble across the realms of the living and the dead.
Joining the returning Keaton, Ryder, and O’Hara are new cast additions Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe in currently undisclosed roles.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” marks only the second time in Tim Burton’s iconoclastic career that he has directed a sequel, following 1992’s “Batman Returns” which also starred Keaton. The original “Beetlejuice” gained cult status for its wildly imaginative haunted house premise and pioneering blend of practical effects and stop-motion animation over CGI.
Keaton has remained tight-lipped about plot details in interviews but did reveal his and Burton’s intention to recapture the trademark hand-made quality of the effects this time around, eschewing an over-reliance on CGI technology.
After keeping fans waiting for over three decades, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is finally manifesting in theaters on September 6th to bring Burton’s darkly funny supernatural world back to the big screen. Audiences will be able to experience the entertaining pandemonium once again when the “Ghost with the Most” is inevitably summoned.
See the first movie trailer of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” below.
