It’s been confirmed that Warner Bros. hasBeetlejuice 3in development, which may seem like it’s arriving too soon after the 2024 sequel, but avoids a less favorable alternative with Michael Keaton’s iconic Betelgeuse character. Consideringit took 34 years afterBeetlejuice’s 1988 release for the first sequel’s development to be announcedand feel like a reality in 2022, another film being in the works seven months afterBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceseems relatively quick. Not to mention, Tim Burton previously expressed doubts aboutBeetlejuice 3happeningin his lifetime (viaTHR).
Still,Beetlejuice 2’s impressive $451 million box office haul and positive reviews meantBeetlejuice 3would be too big an opportunity for Warner Bros. to pass up on. The issue, however, is thatBeetlejuice’s 1988 and 2024 movies have become generational, legacy-based stories focusing on theDeetz family’s conflicts and changes. As such, it seemed that anotherBeetlejuicemovie would have to wait until Jenna Ortega’s Astrid grows up. That no longer seems to be the case ifBeetlejuice 3moves forward over the next few years, buta quicker turnaround at least helps avoid major cast or behind-the-scenes changes.
Beetlejuice 3 Happening Sooner Than Later Means Michael Keaton Will Still Play Betelgeuse
Michael Keaton Still Has Plenty Of Juice Left For The Ghost With The Most
One of the biggest benefits ofBeetlejuice 3potentially happening within the next few years is thatit should guarantee Michael Keaton will portray Betelgeuse. The announcement that a new sequel was in development didn’t come with any cast, crew, or story details, so there’s stillno confirmation that Tim Burton will directBeetlejuice 3, or that Keaton, Winona Ryder, Ortega, and Catherine O’Hara will reprise their roles. It seems unlikely that they would pass up on returning forBeetlejuice 3if the cast and crew from the sequel remained intact, and time plays an important factor in that happening.
When Tim Burton was asked about the possibility ofBeetlejuice 3happening ahead ofBeetlejuice 2’s release,the director didn’t seem optimistic that it would move forward anytime soon. Speaking withThe Hollywood Reporter, Burton noted the36-year gap betweenBeetlejuiceand its sequel, stating:
“Well, let’s do the math. I’d be over a hundred. I guess it’s possible with medical science these days. But I don’t think so!”
As such, it seemed like Burton wasn’t anticipating directing anotherBeetlejuicemovie in his lifetime. And,if anotherBeetlejuicefilm didn’t happen until after Burton’s death, then Keaton, who is seven years older than the director, also reasonably wouldn’t play the Ghost with the Most again. It wouldn’t beBeetlejuicewithout Keaton and Burton, so at leastBeetlejuice 3being in the works now makes the chances of their return together far more likely.
It Would Feel Wrong For Anyone But Michael Keaton To Play Betelgeuse In Movies (Despite Beetlejuice’s Broadway Show)
Seeing Anyone Else As Betelgeuse On The Big Screen Wouldn’t Feel Right
Beetlejuice’s enduring legacy and popularity across different media make capitalization on its future franchise potential inevitable. From the 1988 movie toBeetlejuice’s animated early ’90s spinoff, a late 2010s-debuting Broadway musical, and its 36-year-delayed sequel,Beetlejuiceclearly isn’t a property that has waned in interest over time. As such, while it seemed inevitable that Michael Keaton would one day don his pinstripe suit again,he’s no longer the only person who has portrayed Betelgeuse.
Beetlejuiceanimated series (1989-1991)
BeetlejuiceBroadway musical (2019-2023)
Alex Brightman (original actor)
Beetlejuice Beetlejuicemovie (2024)
Michael Keaton
However, the only other actors who have portrayed Betelgeuse have done so in a different medium. The titularBeetlejuicecharacter wasvoiced by Stephen Ouimette in the 1989–1991 animated Beetlejuice show, with Alex Brightman originating the role on Broadway. As great as the other actors were as Betelgeuse, it’s difficult to imagine anyone other than Michael Keaton playing the devious ghost in the live-action film medium. Had he been recast inBeetlejuice 2, it wouldn’t have felt like a true follow-up to the 1988 original movie.
Thankfully,Keaton was back in full-force forBeetlejuice 2, with his comedic timing and transition to the role making it feel like not a day had passed since he last put on the green wig and shogtly makeup. After that incredible return, it would be all themore difficult to potentially see someone else step into the pinstripe suit in a future movie if one was made after Keaton and Burton’s times. However, ifBeetlejuice 3happens sooner than later, he should thankfully be the one still playing the titular ghost.
Warner Bros Completing Beetlejuice’s Trilogy Setup Should Help Avoid More Reboots Or Spinoffs Coming Anytime Soon
WB Shouldn’t Need To Recast Betelgeuse Or The Deetzes For a Long Time
If Warner Bros. is going to capitalize onBeetlejuice 2’s success, then it’s relieving to see that their plans are seemingly to directly continue the Deetz family’s story, rather than potentially remake the original or introduce a spinoff. If Warner Bros.’ focus is set on the main story with theDeetzes and Betelgeuse inBeetlejuice 3, thenthe studio shouldn’t be looking to find new actors to play the iconic characters anytime soon.
The longer thatBeetlejuice’s main storyline is the focus, the further away a reboot or remake would reasonably be. That said, it wouldn’t be surprising if, 35 years from now, there truly is a remake of the 1988Beetlejuicemovie. Seeing that story through the eyes of someone other than Tim Burton and without the performances ofBeetlejuicecast membersKeaton, Ryder, and O’Hara would be difficult to adjust to, but it seems like an inevitability given the franchise’s enduring popularity.
Beetlejuice 3 Should Still Wait A Few More Years Before Being Released
The Deetzes' Story Needs More Time To Progress
In addition to the lack of any cast or crew details,Beetlejuice 3’s development news didn’t come with any timeline as to when Warner Bros. would expect a third movie to be released. It took two years after the confirmation ofBeetlejuice 2’s development before the film debuted in theaters, so, if following that timeline,Beetlejuice 3could potentially arrive as early as fall 2026 (if it maintains a pre-Halloween release window). Ultimately, any forward movement likely depends on how the studio could make Burton, Keaton, Ryder, Ortega, and O’Hara’s schedules align for production.
It might be more beneficial to wait until after Astrid is out of college, Lydia has forged her new career path, and Delia has already spent a few years in the afterlife.
However, if they could getBeetlejuice 3out to the public by the end of 2026, it may be more beneficial storywise to give it a few more years.Beetlejuice’s stories revolve around major changes and generational conflicts among the Deetz family, anda two-year gap isn’t enough to gain as deeply an emotional coreasBeetlejuice 2’s story between Lydia and Astrid. Rather, it might be more beneficial to wait until after Astrid is out of college, Lydia has forged her new career path, and Delia has already spent a few years in the afterlife.
SinceBeetlejuice 2’s endingalready had a dream sequence showing Astrid getting married, that could also be a starting point forBeetlejuice 3. Perhapsthe story could surround Astrid bringing her fiancé to Winter River for the first time to meet the deceased Delia and Charles, inevitably introducing some new blood to the chaos of Betelgeuse and the afterlife. Even if Michael Keaton is in his 80s by the timeBeetlejuice 3finally arrives, it’ll be a joy to see him continue to cause havoc in the Deetzes’ lives.
