Tim Burton is undoubtedly the master of the gothic horror genre, having frequently delivered different emotional experiences through distorted and eccentric forms (Edward Scissorhands comes first to mind) by employing a distinct visual aesthetic.
His recent hit Netflix series, Wednesday, which starred Jenna Ortega, showed Burton is still capable of captivating new audiences with his Burton-esque ideas. Its success has also raised expectations for Beetlejuice 2. However, the filmmaker’s highly-anticipated movie might suffer at the box office by finding itself embroiled in the ratings scuffle.
Beetlejuice 2’s Rating Might Impact the Performance of Tim Burton’s Anticipated Sequel
It’s been nearly 35 years since the release of Beetlejuice, and yet the Tim Burton masterpiece still remains one of the best and most relevant horror comedies. The story, which follows a malicious spirit (Michael Keaton) roped in to drive out the ghosts of a married couple from their home by the unbearable Deetzes, made Keaton and Burton household names.
The blend of horror and dark comedy put Burton’s distinct style on the map and established Keaton as the go-to man for lead comic roles. With a box office collection of $74.7 million against a budget of $15 million, Beetlejuice was also a massive financial success.
Accordingly, the hype surrounding Beetlejuice 2, which is scheduled for release in September of 2024, is understandable. The movie will bring the iconic cast of Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara together as well as introduce Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe in the “Betelgeuse” universe.
However, the big sticking point for Burton’s much-anticipated box-office return is Beetlejuice 2‘s expected rating. Despite containing adult themes and crude language (a big part of Beetlejuice’s persona), the original movie miraculously received a PG rating.
In this day and age, it’s very unlikely Beetlejuice 2 will escape a PG-13 rating, especially if Burton attempts to replicate the tone and style of the original film. Needless to say, a PG-13 rating could lead to a smaller box office haul for Beetlejuice 2.
Not every PG-13-rated film bombs at the box office. Still, in the case of Burton, several such movies (Dark Shadows, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and Mars Attacks! to name a few) have underwhelmed financially in the last two decades.
Having said that, Burton’s well-wishers will hope the return of Keaton paired with Ortega’s recent success would prove enough to attract viewers for Beetlejuice 2.
What Is Jenna Ortega’s Role in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice 2
Ortega is set to be the most prominent new addition to the franchise. The 21-year-old is playing the daughter of Lydia, who finds herself in danger in the original film following the rambunctious spirit’s arrival.
Before the SAG-AFTRA strike, she was pictured filming a scene with Winona Ryder. In November, Ortega was again spotted on a Melrose movie set, filming scenes for the sequel. As per CBS, she was wearing a purple-and-black-striped dress and was seen riding a bike. Akin to Lydia, Ortega is also expected to have a big role in the upcoming movie.
Despite new arrivals, expect the same Burton-esque magic from Beetlejuice 2. Speaking to Empire, Keaton confirmed he and Burton are making the movie exactly like they did the first one.
