Wondercon 2012: ‘Beetlejuice’ Update, Will Be A True Sequel

While promoting his new film “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” at Wondercon 2012, screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith (Dark Shadows) spoke with Collider about the “Beetlejuice” screenplay he’ll be working on for Tim Burton produced sequel.

According to Grahame-Smith, Michael Keaton is expected to return reprising his role as The Ghost With The Most. In addition, he also revealed that the film will take place 26 or 27 years after the original.

“Beetlejuice” is hopefully the third thing I’m gonna write this year. I’ve met with Tim about it, I’ve met with Michael Keaton about it. There’s a lot of goodwill to want to do it from both of those guys; Tim from a producing aspect and Michael from returning to the character. Again, it’s on me. It’s whether or not I can come up with a script that’s worthy of them jumping back in.”

When speaking about the possible storyline, Grahame-Smith admits that he’s still in the brainstorming phase but has a “rough idea of what it’s gonna be” like. He stresses that it will not be be a reboot, but a true sequel with Michael Keaton as the title character Beetlejuice.

“The thing that Tim and Michael and I all agree on, and is most important for me is, I don’t wanna be the guy that destroys the legacy and the memory of the first film; I would rather die,” says Grahame-Smith.

“I would rather just not make it, I’d rather just throw the whole thing away than make something that pays no respect and doesn’t live up even close to the legacy of the first film.”

The film is expected to take place 26 or 27 years after the first film. Because for Beetlejuice “time means nothing in the afterlife, but the world outside is a different story.”

“Beetlejuice 2” is still pretty far away and a lot can change. But I’m optimistic about the project and Grahame-Smith’s enthusiasm and determination to do right by the original. We’ll have more as the story develops.

Source: Collider