‘Literally Didn’t Exist’: Michael Keaton Credits Jenna Ortega For Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice 2, But Here’s A Catch

As a long-time admirer of Michael Keaton‘s illustrious career, I must say that his recent acknowledgment of Jenna Ortega’s impact on the Beetlejuice sequel truly warms my heart. It seems that this young actress has not only brought Astrid Deetz to life but also breathed new life into the entire project itself!


Michael Keaton is always quick to give credit where it’s due, and during a recent interview, he praised his co-star Jenna Ortega for her role in bringing the Beetlejuice sequel to life! Even jokingly pointing out that she wasn’t even born when the original film was released back in 1988.

In an interview for promotional purposes with USA Today, the cast of the latest film discussed various topics, and The Batman’s actor, Michael Keaton, shared some interesting insights about a character named Ortega. He revealed that when the initial installment was released in 1988, Ortega didn’t even exist yet. However, upon working with her in this movie, he found himself wondering, “Is it really her? Or is it ‘it?'” If Ortega hadn’t been introduced, the production of the film might never have happened.

In the movie, Catherine O’Hara humorously remarked that they needed to “let Ortega survive” before moving forward. Later, the actress who plays Jane Villanueva on Jane The Virgin pointed out that there was a change in control within the room.

Ortega pointed out that collaborating with Keaton made the work process incredibly effortless for her. She went on to explain that it was almost impossible not to be drawn into their peculiar world, where they had characters like someone with moldy teeth and another person trapped in a water-filled box, desperately trying to give her a key throughout the entire filming.

Despite being born over a decade after the original Beetlejuice premiered, she recognized the devoted fanbase during the sequel’s filming in Vermont, much like the first movie. She mentioned that locals occasionally approached her to share their photo albums, which bore Tim Burton’s signature.

In the same interview, another cast member, Winona Ryder, reminisced about her bond with the actress who played the Miller’s Daughter. Reflecting on memories from their shared attic set, particularly from the original film “Beetlejuice”, she shared that she enjoyed being there and often imagined Lydia as a contented spinster living in the attic.

However, Ryder found it novel to perceive her character as a mother. She also mentioned that the dynamics between Lydia, Astrid, and herself were unusual, as she hadn’t witnessed her becoming pregnant or experiencing love, but meeting Ortega felt like an unexpected magic.

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2024-09-06 10:52