Beetlejuice 2

Beetlejuice 2 is coming out as a straight to DVD release. The bad news is that Michael Keaton and Tim Burton are not involved.

Rumours about Beetlejuice 2 began when Michael Keaton reportedly said Tim Burton was working on a script. “There’s a big chance you’ll see me in another Beatlejuice again.”  

Burton subsequently denied this and said if anyone was working on a Beatlejuice script, it wasn’t him.

In the early 1990s, a few Beetlejuice 2 scripts were written but never approved by Burton and Keaton. “Beetlejuice goes Hawaiian” was one possibility that was going to be set in the tropics with the undead soaring the waves, dancing the limbo, and controlling the beaches. At the time, it was said to be a go-project.

But all that has fallen through now. Beetlejuice 2 is definitely coming out, but without Burton and Keaton on board. Warners is cashing in on people who buy bad DVDs based on a recognisable name and familiar cover art.

“Consumers today have more ways than ever to access content, which naturally increases the need for all forms of programming, especially in the DVD originals arena. With Warner Premiere, we’re creating an additional stream of new, high-quality, ‘fan-ready’ DVDs that will be supported by top-notch marketing to help them standout in the increasingly crowded marketplace.”

What that really means is they want to make a lot of money by bringing out inferior low-budget sequels to their big hit movies. So you can expect to see Beetlejuice 2, Ghostbusters 3, Lost Boys 2 and Return To House on Haunted Hill as well - with none of the original cast returning. This is absolutely abysmal. Very disappointing indeed and just another way for Warners to rip off fans with cheap, badly-made product.

Other movies with straight to DVD sequels announced are Under Siege, Training Day, Space Jam and Dark Castle. Warner Premiere will produce up to 15 titles a year, the first of which, Dukes of Hazzard 2 is a continuation the storyline featured in the 2005 theatrical release. It recently wrapped production and will be made available in September 2007. Also out in 2007 are “Return to House on Haunted Hill”, “Twisted Fortune” and “A Dennis the Menace Christmas”.