Michael Keaton Had A Lot Of Initial Concerns About ‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel

Michael Keaton, known for his iconic portrayal of Beetlejuice in Tim Burton’s 1988 film of the same name, faced a dilemma when he was offered the chance to reprise his role in the upcoming sequel. Despite his enduring attachment to the character, Keaton approached the idea of returning to the whimsical world of Beetlejuice with caution and uncertainty.

Ahead of the release of the highly anticipated Beetlejuice Beetlejuice sequel, the 72-year-old actor recently provided insight into the intricate considerations that influenced his decision to reprise his role in the new project.

Michael Keaton wanted the sequel to be done right

During his interview with People magazine, Keaton shared insights into his reservations about the prospect of creating a new sequel to Beetlejuice. He elaborated on the careful approach he and the director envisioned for the film’s production, emphasizing their shared desire for perfection in bringing the beloved franchise back to life.

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“We thought, ‘You got to get this right. Otherwise, just don’t do it. Let’s just go on with our lives and do other things.’ So I was hesitant and cautious, and [Burton] was probably equally as hesitant and cautious over all these years,” he admitted to the news outlet. “Once we got there, I said, ’OK, let’s just go for it. Let’s just see if we can do it if we can pull this off.’”

The 72-year-old actor disclosed that in the initial phases of production, he and  Burton were adamant about avoiding the use of CGI technology. Keaton emphasized their desire for the film to maintain an organic feel similar to the original. “It had to feel handmade,” Keaton confessed. “What made it fun was watching somebody in the corner actually holding something up for you, to watch everybody in the shrunken headroom and say, ‘Those are people under there, operating these things, trying to get it right.’”

Keaton also expressed satisfaction at being able to produce the movie without much technological interference. “It’s the most exciting thing when you get to do that again after years of standing in front of a giant screen, pretending somebody’s across the way from you,” he added.