Winona Ryder Never Thought Lydia Deetz Would Be a Mom in ‘Beetlejuice 2’ and Predicted ‘She’d Be This Spinster by Choice in the Attic’ Instead

As a long-time fan of Tim Burton’s quirky and enchanting universe, I am beyond excited for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”! The return of Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz after 36 years feels like reuniting with an old friend who has grown up in the most fascinating ways.


In the eagerly-anticipated Tim Burton film “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” Winona Ryder reprises her role as Lydia Deetz, a part she last played 36 years ago. Back then, Ryder was just 15 while filming the original “Beetlejuice.” In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ryder expressed surprise that her character would become a mother in the sequel, as she had not foreseen this development.

“Ryder mentioned he wanted to preserve the core from the original character, yet envision a life full of experiences for her. He never expected Lydia to become a mother; instead, he saw her as a voluntary spinster living in an attic. However, he believes Jenna Ortega beautifully filled those gaps and provided satisfying answers, making it feel perfectly fitting.”

In the upcoming “Beetlejuice” sequel, details about the storyline are being kept secret, but a central theme revolves around the tense bond between Lydia, portrayed by Winona Ryder, and her daughter Astrid, played by Jenna Ortega. Original actors Michael Keaton and Catherine O’Hara will reprise their roles, with additional stars including Willem Dafoe, Justin Theroux, and Monica Bellucci joining the cast.

Ryder shared that about Burton’s idea for the sequel, they’d meet up approximately every two years. He’d wander around, saying, “This isn’t just a sequel; it’s more like catching up, I genuinely want to know what’s happened with them since then.”

In a previous interview with Vanity Fair, Ortega characterized Astrid as “unusual, but in an unexpected manner, not what one might initially expect.”

“She mentioned that the bond between Lydia and Astrid, my character, plays a significant role in the sequel. It’s peculiar because it involves a lot of reconnecting and filling in the gaps about what Lydia has been through since then, which I believe will be enjoyable for those who adore the character and are eager to see her return.”

Keaton mentioned during March that the strong bond between a mother and daughter featured in the sequel adds a deep emotional impact, which was lacking in the original film.

“Keaton stated that the original was incredibly entertaining and visually stimulating. The follow-up, however, not only maintains that excitement, but also adds depth with moments that are beautiful and emotionally resonant. He admitted he wasn’t prepared for this emotional element, yet he finds it remarkable.”

“The movie ‘Beetlejuice’ will hit theaters on September 6, distributed by Warner Bros., following its world premiere at the opening night of the Venice Film Festival.”

Read More

2024-08-27 00:16