The atmosphere at Tuesday evening’s CinemaCon event was truly electric, with the audience at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas erupting into thunderous applause following a sneak peek of Beetlejuice 2.
Taking to the stage were Tim Burton, Michael Keaton, and Catherine O’Hara, evoking a sense of nostalgia as Burton quipped about the reunion feeling like a “big weird family gathering.”
The trio was joined by Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, and Justin Theroux, all clad in black attire except for Keaton, who humorously remarked, “I must’ve missed the memo about the dress code.”
Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group’s co-chairpersons and CEOs, Michael DeLuca and Pamela Abdy, took the stage to introduce the film, explaining Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega’s absence due to scheduling conflicts with CinemaCon.
Titled ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,’ the sequel to the 1988 classic is set for release on September 6, 2024, with Keaton reprising his iconic role as the mischievous ghost. Ryder returns as Lydia Deetz, while Ortega joins the ensemble as Lydia’s daughter, Astrid, a rebellious teen who inadvertently unleashes chaos by opening a portal to the afterlife.
Despite Ortega’s absence, Keaton praised her seamless transition from Disney to horror, noting her natural grasp of the Beetlejuice universe. He also commended her performance, mentioning that little training was required for her to embody the character.
The film’s trailer, released on March 22, 2024, has garnered widespread acclaim, with audiences lauding the entire cast for their portrayals.