It’s been confirmed that Warner Bros. has Beetlejuice 3 happening in his lifetime (via THR).

Still, Beetlejuice 2’s impressive $451 million box office haul and positive reviews meant Beetlejuice 3 would be too big an opportunity for Warner Bros. to up on. The issue, however, is that Beetlejuice’s 1988 and 2024 movies have become generational, legacy-based stories focusing on the Deetz family’s conflicts and changes. As such, it seemed that another Beetlejuice movie would have to wait until Jenna Ortega’s Astrid grows up. That no longer seems to be the case if Beetlejuice 3 moves forward over the next few years, but a quicker turnaround at least helps avoid major cast or behind-the-scenes changes.

Beetlejuice 3 Happening Sooner Than Later Means Michael Keaton Will Still Play Betelgeuse

Michael Keaton Still Has Plenty Of Juice Left For The Ghost With The Most

One of the biggest benefits of Beetlejuice 3 potentially happening within the next few years is that it should guarantee Michael Keaton will portray Betelgeuse. The announcement that a new sequel was in development didn’t come with any cast, crew, or story details, so there’s still no confirmation that Tim Burton will direct Beetlejuice 3, or that Keaton, Winona Ryder, Ortega, and Catherine O’Hara will reprise their roles. It seems unlikely that they would up on returning for Beetlejuice 3 if the cast and crew from the sequel remained intact, and time plays an important factor in that happening.

When Tim Burton was asked about the possibility of Beetlejuice 3 happening ahead of Beetlejuice 2’s release, the director didn’t seem optimistic that it would move forward anytime soon. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Burton noted the 36-year gap between Beetlejuice and its sequel, stating:

“Well, let’s do the math. I’d be over a hundred. I guess it’s possible with medical science these days. But I don’t think so!”

As such, it seemed like Burton wasn’t anticipating directing another Beetlejuice movie in his lifetime. And, if another Beetlejuice film didn’t happen until after Burton’s death, then Keaton, who is seven years older than the director, also reasonably wouldn’t play the Ghost with the Most again. It wouldn’t be Beetlejuice without Keaton and Burton, so at least Beetlejuice 3 being in the works now makes the chances of their return together far more likely.

It Would Feel Wrong For Anyone But Michael Keaton To Play Betelgeuse In Movies (Despite Beetlejuice's Broadway Show)

Seeing Anyone Else As Betelgeuse On The Big Screen Wouldn't Feel Right

Beetlejuice’s enduring legacy and popularity across different media make capitalization on its future franchise potential inevitable. From the 1988 movie to Beetlejuice's animated early ’90s spinoff, a late 2010s-debuting Broadway musical, and its 36-year-delayed sequel, Beetlejuice clearly isn’t a property that has waned in interest over time. As such, while it seemed inevitable that Michael Keaton would one day don his pinstripe suit again, he’s no longer the only person who has portrayed Betelgeuse.

However, the only other actors who have portrayed Betelgeuse have done so in a different medium. The titular Beetlejuice character was voiced by Stephen Ouimette in the 1989–1991 animated Beetlejuice show, with Alex Brightman originating the role on Broadway. As great as the other actors were as Betelgeuse, it’s difficult to imagine anyone other than Michael Keaton playing the devious ghost in the live-action film medium. Had he been recast in Beetlejuice 2, it wouldn’t have felt like a true follow-up to the 1988 original movie.

Thankfully, Keaton was back in full-force for Beetlejuice 2, with his comedic timing and transition to the role making it feel like not a day had ed since he last put on the green wig and shogtly makeup. After that incredible return, it would be all the more difficult to potentially see someone else step into the pinstripe suit in a future movie if one was made after Keaton and Burton’s times. However, if Beetlejuice 3 happens sooner than later, he should thankfully be the one still playing the titular ghost.

Warner Bros Completing Beetlejuice's Trilogy Setup Should Help Avoid More Reboots Or Spinoffs Coming Anytime Soon

WB Shouldn't Need To Recast Betelgeuse Or The Deetzes For a Long Time

If Warner Bros. is going to capitalize on Beetlejuice 2’s success, then it’s relieving to see that their plans are seemingly to directly continue the Deetz family’s story, rather than potentially remake the original or introduce a spinoff. If Warner Bros.’ focus is set on the main story with the Deetzes and Betelgeuse in Beetlejuice 3, then the studio shouldn’t be looking to find new actors to play the iconic characters anytime soon.

The longer that Beetlejuice’s main storyline is the focus, the further away a reboot or remake would reasonably be. That said, it wouldn’t be surprising if, 35 years from now, there truly is a remake of the 1988 Beetlejuice movie. Seeing that story through the eyes of someone other than Tim Burton and without the performances of Beetlejuice cast Keaton, Ryder, and O’Hara would be difficult to adjust to, but it seems like an inevitability given the franchise’s enduring popularity.

Beetlejuice 3 Should Still Wait A Few More Years Before Being Released

The Deetzes' Story Needs More Time To Progress

In addition to the lack of any cast or crew details, Beetlejuice 3’s development news didn’t come with any timeline as to when Warner Bros. would expect a third movie to be released. It took two years after the confirmation of Beetlejuice 2’s development before the film debuted in theaters, so, if following that timeline, Beetlejuice 3 could potentially arrive as early as fall 2026 (if it maintains a pre-Halloween release window). Ultimately, any forward movement likely depends on how the studio could make Burton, Keaton, Ryder, Ortega, and O’Hara’s schedules align for production.

It might be more beneficial to wait until after Astrid is out of college, Lydia has forged her new career path, and Delia has already spent a few years in the afterlife.

However, if they could get Beetlejuice 3 out to the public by the end of 2026, it may be more beneficial storywise to give it a few more years. Beetlejuice’s stories revolve around major changes and generational conflicts among the Deetz family, and a two-year gap isn’t enough to gain as deeply an emotional core as Beetlejuice 2’s story between Lydia and Astrid. Rather, it might be more beneficial to wait until after Astrid is out of college, Lydia has forged her new career path, and Delia has already spent a few years in the afterlife.

Since Beetlejuice 2’s ending already had a dream sequence showing Astrid getting married, that could also be a starting point for Beetlejuice 3. Perhaps the story could surround Astrid bringing her fiancé to Winter River for the first time to meet the deceased Delia and Charles, inevitably introducing some new blood to the chaos of Betelgeuse and the afterlife. Even if Michael Keaton is in his 80s by the time Beetlejuice 3 finally arrives, it’ll be a joy to see him continue to cause havoc in the Deetzes’ lives.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter