Beetlejuice Sequel Requires Michael Keaton’s Return?

In early September, it was revealed that David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith signed a 2-year production deal with Warner Bros. One of the projects they are currently working on is a sequel to Beetlejuice, which was said to reboot the franchise "by advancing the storyline of the original".

We haven't heard much since, but in a recent interview, Seth Grahame-Smith talked about Tim Burton's involvement and their plan to have Michael Keaton star in the film.While talking to EW, David Katzenberg wanted to make sure that fans knew that they were not remaking the film: "We’re not remaking Beetlejuice. People have been very angry about that."

Seth Grahame-Smith, continued this topic, talking about not making the film without Tim Burton's blessing and getting Michael Keaton on board: "When Warner Bros. came to us about it, we said the only way we’d do it if we got Tim [Burton’s] blessing and involvement, and we got that, and the star of the movie has to be Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice, and it’s a true continuation 26 years later. Not just throwing him in as a cameo going, 'Hey, it’s me. I endorse this movie.' We’re not there yet [with Keaton] because we don’t have a film to present to him."

For fans who were worried about this being a complete reboot/remake, this news is encouraging. Seth Grahame-Smith has been working with Tim Burton on Dark Shadows, and Tim Burton is a producer on the adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith’s Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, so had assumed that Tim Burton would be involved in some capacity. We're glad to hear that they are looking to bring back Michael Keaton, but would he jump at the chance to return? Michael Keaton has previously said that playing Beetlejuice (Betelgeuse) was one of his favorite roles, so fans will just have to hope that the material and director are strong enough to convince him to return.