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Michael Keaton has an extensive list of movie credits but it’s his role as the ghost with the most Beetlejuice (or Betelgeuse if you want to get technical) that stands out not just for him, but his fans, too.
“The first Beetlejuice is one of if not the favourite film I have done,” he tells WHO ahead of the release of the Beetlejuice 2. Stepping back into the shoes of the mayhem-making ghoul 36 years after the first film was released was a little hair-raising for Keaton, who turns 72 on September 5, but plenty of fun, thanks to an epic list of co-stars.
While Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara are among the cast returning for Beetlejuice 2, newcomers to the crazy world include Justin Theroux and Wednesday star Jenna Ortega, who impressed Keaton with her ability to slip right into it.
WHO caught up with the low-profile star to get the rundown on the long-awaited sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
How easy was it to step back into the role of Beetlejuice after all these years?
I thought it would be easy but it was actually a little more difficult than I anticipated. I felt kind of nervous to be back as a character I really do love, so it felt like a big deal to be back and to do it again.
How would you say Beetlejuice has changed since we last saw him?
I’m really not sure he has changed. That’s really the point of Beetlejuice – he’s an anarchic force.
How did you prepare to play such an outrageous character again?
The thing about Beetlejuice is that he’s really not like any other character. He’s his own being, his own creature. He comes from another dimension so anything is possible. It’s more a case of throwing yourself into the art of it and [director Tim Burton] really supports that. He gave me some ideas and it evolved from that. But it was different this time. A lot of the first film was improvised. A lot more of it was there in the script for this one. But it was still a lot of fun to be this guy again with such an amazing cast.
Is Beetlejuice one of the movies that fans always ask you about?
Oh yeah, it’s up there. I have been lucky enough to have been a part of a lot of movies people are fond of, but Beetlejuice is special. It’s so different and it appeals across the generations. People are so nostalgic about it, which is something, until a few years ago, I really didn’t understand. I didn’t get the whole nostalgia thing until I suddenly did and it kind of hit me like a train. Now I get nostalgic about everything and I definitely get nostalgic about Beetlejuice.
How many times have you watched the original film?
Not many. Once or twice before this. I don’t really watch my own movies. It would be too weird. I watch them when I need to watch them, at a premiere or a screening, but I don’t go looking for them. I did watch Beetlejuice again ahead of doing this movie and I would be lying if I said I was surprised. I remembered it as being brilliant and it still is. It’s a piece of art that Tim really brought out of nowhere.
When did the idea to do a sequel come about?
It took a while. For years, Tim didn’t want to touch it and neither did I. But then we talked about it, dropped it and talked about it again. We knew there was maybe a story to tell and that, if we did it, it would have to be done like the first one – not too much CGI but with that handcrafted look and feel with all practical effects. But Tim came up with a wonderful script and we were able to shoot it pretty quickly, actually. We had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs being back in this crazy world.
How was working with Jenna Ortega as one of the new cast members?
Jenna is incredible. It couldn’t have been easy to come into the world, among people who are already established in their roles, but she just got it from day one. She is part of such an amazing cast. People are going to love this movie. It’s so much fun. It’s entertaining, it’s crazy, but it’s also emotional. It has some really heartwarming moments, too.
You are as admired for being one of Hollywood’s more down-to-earth stars as you are for some of your characters. How have you managed to stay that way?
I don’t know. I just try to keep myself to myself and I try not to share too much with people. I have no interest in people knowing that much about me and I never have. I’m consistent. If I want to say something about somebody, it’s almost always a good thing. I do it as much out of respect for other people as for me. People know too much about everybody these days so I just don’t do it.
You are a director and producer as well as an actor. Which do you enjoy most?
I still love acting. I love the process and the people. Directing is fun too, just because you have no time to sit around. As an actor, there’s a lot of time there’s a lot of time waiting for that sweet spot that might pop up every now and then in a scene. There’s no sitting around as a director. You are working all the time thinking and problem solving.
Finally, it’s taken 36 years for Beetlejuice 2 to happen. Is there going to be a third?
I don’t think so. Maybe. Who knows? Maybe in another 36 years!
(Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is in cinemas from September 5.)
Stream the original film Beetlejuice on Disney Plus from $13.99/mth. Subscribe Now.
