This weeks Your Nerd Side Show:
Beetlejuice 2 cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos opened up about Tim Burton’s long-awaited horror comedy sequel, teasing “a very personal intimate story” for the acclaimed filmmaker.
More than three decades after the theatrical debut of Beetlejuice, Burton is finally revisiting one of his most memorable stories ever, as he directs a brand-new chapter into the world of Michael Keaton’s titular villain. Speaking with The Direct, Zambarloukos, who previously worked as the director of photography for films like Thor, Murder on the Orient Express, and Belfast, discussed the central theme of Beetlejuice 2 by describing it as a "brilliant, warm family story." This seemingly hints at what kind of relationship that Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega will have in the sequel, as they’re expected to portray a mother-and-daughter duo.
"I think there is the same kind of passion and that's what is the kind of ignition behind all of this. We've been working with Neal Scanlan on incredible puppeteering and in-camera effects. And there's just an element of that storytelling--It's a natural progression," Zambarloukos said. "Although it's a fantastical story, it, again, at the heart of it [is] a brilliant, warm family story. It is the story of a family and how it's progressed over for 30 years. And I think that's always the basis of a great story."
Winona Ryder Sets a Career Milestone With Beetlejuice 2 Return
The Oscar-nominated actor’s highly-anticipated return as Lydia Deetz marks the first time in her career that she will be reprising a role for a sequel. In addition, the iconic role will also become the longest one Ryder has held prior to Stranger Things, where she played Joyce Byers for nearly a decade now. Even though she has been a part of major sci-fi franchises like Alien Resurrection and Star Trek, the Golden Globe winner never played the same character twice before signing on for Beetlejuice 2.
Beetlejuice 2 will serve as Burton’s feature-length directorial comeback after directing 2019’s Dumbo. The sequel also reunites the visionary filmmaker with long-time collaborators Keaton (Batman Returns) and Ryder (Edward Scissorhands), who both have not worked with Burton for over 30 years. Co-written by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar based on a story by Seth Grahame-Smith, further details about the next installment’s plot are still being kept under wraps. At the moment, its production in the UK has been temporarily suspended due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.
Besides Keaton and Ryder, the sequel will also be led by rising screen queen Jenna Ortega, who first collaborated with Burton on Netflix’s hit Addams Family series Wednesday, which is slated to return for a second season. Other than being Lydia Deetz’s daughter, full character details about Ortega’s role have not yet been revealed, but previous set photos suggest that she will have a wedding. Joining them are Catherine O’Hara, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe, with Bellucci’s character reportedly set as Betelgeuse’s wife.
Beetlejuice 2 is slated to arrive in theaters on Sept. 6, 2024.
Source: The Direct
Comments