“Oh man, she’s really good,” the actor is singing praises about his co-star in ‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice.’
Key Takeaways:
- Michael Keaton reprises his role as the titular demon in Beetlejuice 2, with Jenna Ortega joining the cast as a new member.
- Keaton praised Ortega’s performance, noting how she quickly grasped the film’s tone and embodied her character.
- Ortega portrays Astrid, the daughter of Winona Ryder‘s character Lydia Deetz, and plays a pivotal role in summoning the demon this time around.
Beetlejuice, the mischievous demon portrayed by Michael Keaton, is set to make a return to the screens, aiming to thrill a new generation of viewers.
Scheduled for release later this year, the film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice also stars Jenna Ortega, known for her role in Tim Burton’s Wednesday.
Notably, the seasoned Keaton was impressed by Ortega’s talent showcased on the set of this fantasy horror comedy.
The new film, written by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar based on a story by Seth Grahame-Smith, faces the challenge of capturing the essence of the original 1988 movie while also resonating with contemporary audiences.
Michael Keaton Praises His New Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Castmate Jenna Ortega
Last month, Jenna Ortega confirmed to Vanity Fair that her role in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice sequel would be the daughter of Winona Ryder’s Lydia Deetz. The series will also see the return of actors like Michael Keaton and Catherine O’Hara. When Keaton attended the premiere of his new directorial project, Knox Goes Away, he was asked about the upcoming Beetlejuice sequel and his new co-star, Jenna Ortega.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Keaton had nothing but praise for Ortega. The Spider-Man: Homecoming actor commended Ortega’s performance, stating that she was fantastic in her role and seamlessly captured the film’s tone from the moment she arrived on set. Keaton even described Ortega as “special” due to her remarkable talents. The Batman actor shared with ET:
“Oh man, she’s good, she’s just got it, you know? She’s got the tone. She showed up and just immediately knew what the tone was and just slipped in like she does every day. She’s really special.”
In the movie’s storyline, Jenna Ortega’s character, Astrid, Lydia Deetz‘s daughter, finds a mysterious model in the Deetz family’s attic, accidentally opening a portal to the Afterlife and encountering Michael Keaton’s mischievous demon character. New cast members include Monica Bellucci, Arthur Conti, Justin Theroux, and Willem Dafoe.
“Beetlejuice 2” Stars Michael Keaton and Jenna Ortega Sing Praises For Their Upcoming Movie
Michael Keaton recently appeared on The Jess Cagle Show on SiriusXM and shared that he had watched the first cut of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The Birdman actor expressed confidence in the film, stating that it turned out great.
He mentioned that while he expected it to be fun and visually exciting, he was surprised by the emotional elements. Keaton also mentioned that he planned to watch it again after some minor tweaks in the editing room.
“I’ve seen it now. I’m going to see it again after a couple of little tweaks in the editing room, and I confidently say this thing is great. The [original] was so fun and exciting visually. [The sequel is] all that but really beautiful and interestingly emotional here and there. I wasn’t ready for that. It’s great.” (via The Jess Cagle Show)
During her time on the Emmys red carpet, Jenna Ortega shared her experience of acting in Beetlejuice 2 with ET. Ortega expressed that filming was “some of the most fun I’ve ever had on a set” and described the movie as “visually exciting.”
She conveyed her gratitude for being part of the project, stating, “I felt so lucky to be there, it was insane … I can’t wait for people to see.”
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is set to premiere on the big screens on September 6, 2024.