"Beetlejuice" star Winona Ryder had always pictured Lydia Deetz as a lifelong spinster rather than a mother in the upcoming sequel.
The Lydia Deetz that fans remember from Tim Burton's 1988 classic isn't quite the same in the much-anticipated follow-up.
Ryder shared her thoughts on where she believed her iconic goth teen character would be today compared to Burton's direction for the sequel.
"I always imagined Lydia maintaining the essence of who she was in the first film, leading a solitary life by choice up in that attic," Ryder explained. "The idea of her becoming a mom never crossed my mind. But then Jenna Ortega stepped into the role, and everything just clicked perfectly."
Decades after the original events where teenage Lydia faced off against the mischievous "bio-exorcist" Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), the sequel introduces us to an adult Lydia hosting a TV show titled "Ghost House." Following the passing of her father, Charles Deetz (originally portrayed by Jeffrey Jones), Lydia returns to the familiar home in Winter River, accompanied by her daughter Astrid (Ortega), stepmother Delia Deetz (Catherine O'Hara), and her boyfriend and TV producer, Rory (Justin Theroux).
Discussing Delia's journey in the sequel, O'Hara revealed that Delia is now showcasing her work at an art gallery. "In my first scenes, Delia is presenting her art, which I have a feeling her husband might have funded. We shot in a real SoHo gallery in London, filled with elaborate pieces and even a program featuring the most pretentious art descriptions imaginable."
Back at their old residence, an accidental portal to the Afterlife is opened, leading to the inevitable summoning of Beetlejuice once more. The sequel also features Willem Dafoe as Wolf Jackson, a former B-list actor turned Afterlife policeman, and Monica Bellucci as Delores, Beetlejuice's ex-wife.
Reflecting on the sequel's development process, Ryder mentioned how the idea evolved over time. "Every couple of years, we would discuss it. Tim would pace around, saying things like, 'This isn't just a sequel; it's about life's progression. I want to explore where these characters are now.'"
O'Hara added insight into Burton's vision, stating that he sees this as Lydia's story. "He's intrigued by what becomes of a girl like her from the first movie — the choices she makes, the relationships she forms. He's deeply interested in the dynamics between these three women and the concept of family connections."
This fresh take on "Beetlejuice" promises to delve deeper into the beloved characters' lives, offering fans a blend of nostalgia and new storytelling layers.