For years we have been hearing rumblings on the potential sequel to BEETLEJUICE. Last we heard, Seth Grahame-Smith had met with Michael Keaton about the sequel. Grahame-Smith worked with Tim Burton on both DARK SHADOWS and the adaptation of ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER and seemed to have forged a bond with the director. They decided to venture back to BEETLEJUICE, but it was still wishful thinking.
Until today. Grahame-Smith tweeted out a photo as proof that he has begun working on the script. Take a look:
Now, as far as I can see, there is no text on the screen. All we know is Grahame-Smith likes BEETLEJUICE and owns an action figure/maquette of the title character. But, this is the most progress we have had on the film to date. I would love to see the stars all reunite for a new story. Having Michael Keaton don the striped suit again would be worth the price of admission alone. But, if Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, and Winona Ryder come back in some capacity, all the better.
While I was unimpressed with both DARK SHADOWS and ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER as films, Grahame-Smith’s novels have been very well written, including the violent Nativity novel UNHOLY NIGHT. I think he has the right temperment and approach to make a BEETLEJUICE sequel work. I just don’t want it to be watered down to appease mass audiences. The moment BEETLEJUICE said “Nice f*cking model!” I heard my parents gasp, wondering what the hell movie I was watching. But, it was that dark edge that made it the quintessential Tim Burton flick. I hope we get to see that side come back out to play.
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