Jenna Ortega made waves on the Internet with her sardonic portrayal of Wednesday in the Netflix series. Given the positive acclaim she received from audiences and critics worldwide, it massively showcased her acting prowess, which opened new opportunities in her career. The actress is set to debut in Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
The actress reflected on why the younger generation deserves Tim Burton’s upcoming work, even though Hollywood is filled with sequels.
Jenna Ortega Expressed Her Thoughts on Beetlejuice 2
In a February interview with Vanity Fair, the Scream actress expressed her thoughts on her upcoming movie, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which she claims is a project that the younger generation deserves.
Things are already set in motion as the actress is set to join the 1988 main cast, playing the daughter of Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder). When asked about her relationship with the film, she told the outlet,
I had always loved the movie. I think the first time I saw it was actually at a friend’s house, and then the rest of the time, I’d see it whenever it was playing on TV around Halloween. Before I’d even seen the movie, I knew who Beetlejuice was. I knew who Lydia was. I was able to recognize costumes just because it was everywhere.
She expressed her excitement for the upcoming movie, bringing out a unique and unconventional story. She reflected on how the studios nowadays often prioritize reboots and sequels to attract audiences, which elevates chances for box office success.
That’s why I was excited that they were bringing it back as well. I feel like studios nowadays, of course they want people in seats and you’ve got to do reboots or sequels or things like that to get people entwined.
However, bringing back Michael Keaton’s iconic character is especially valuable due to its quirky narrative that can help reengage with audiences.
But to bring Beetlejuice back—of all of the stories—is so good because people need to revisit weird, strange, off-putting stories again. We need to introduce the younger generation that’s always on the phone to new artistic and creative ideas. The weirder you get with it, the more people you can get to see it, I think will probably do a lot for film in general.
Tim Burton’s 1988 movie featured a quirky concept about a recently deceased couple who are not allowed to leave their home as ghosts. Hence, they contact a mischievous ghost named Beetlejuice from the Netherworld to scare away their home’s new inhabitants.
Jenna Ortega Reflects on Her Beetlejuice 2 Role
Ortega, who has notable roles under her belt at quite a young age, joins the likes of Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, and Willem Dafoe in the upcoming fantasy horror-comedy movie. While the details about her role were initially a mystery, she spilled the tea on her own stating that she plays the on-screen daughter of the Stranger Things star.
Reflecting on her role, she called the character “weird, but in a different way and not in the way you’d assume, I would say“ to the same outlet. She dives into her character’s relationship with Lydia, which is crucial in the movie.
And it’s also really strange because it’s a lot of catching up and putting the pieces together of what’s gone on in Lydia’s life since, which is nice, I think, for anybody who loves the character and is excited to see her again.
Keaton reprises his titular role in the upcoming sequel who appears if someone says his name three times in a row. It is set to be theatrically released in the United States on September 6, 2024.
Beetlejuice is available on Apple TV.
