Tim Burton's eagerly anticipated sequel to the 1988 cult classic Beetlejuice is set to open the 81st Venice Film Festival on August 28. The film, titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, will have its world premiere at the Lido’s Palazzo del Cinema before its international release on September 4 and its U.S. release on September 6.
The star-studded cast includes Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara reprising their iconic roles, alongside newcomers Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe. According to Variety, the cast is expected to attend the Venice Film Festival.
Director Tim Burton expressed his excitement about the film's premiere at Venice, stating, “It means a lot to me to have the world premiere of this film at the Venice Film Festival.” Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera praised the film, highlighting Burton's visionary talent and describing the sequel as featuring "a surprising swing of creative imagination and driving hallucinatory rhythm."
The sequel follows three generations of the Deetz family coming together after a tragic death as they return to Winter River, where Beetlejuice is reawakened once again. The official trailer, released in May, shows Lydia Deetz (Ryder) and her daughter, Astrid (Ortega), accidentally summoning the mischievous poltergeist.
Michael Keaton, who returns as Beetlejuice, shared his enthusiasm for the project in February, telling PEOPLE, “The most fun I've had on set in a long time.”
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the first of several high-profile projects to be confirmed for this year's Venice Film Festival. Other expected titles include Todd Phillips’ Joker 2: Folie à Deux starring Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix, Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of William S. Burroughs' Queer with Daniel Craig, and Jon Watts’ action-comedy Wolfs starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney.
The 81st Venice Film Festival will run from August 28 to September 7.
