Tim Burton's eagerly anticipated sequel, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," starring a stellar cast including Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Jenna Ortega, and Willem Dafoe, will grace the opening night of the upcoming Venice Film Festival. This follow-up to the 1988 horror-comedy classic marks Keaton's return as the irreverent, shape-shifting ghoul. On August 28, the Palazzo del Cinema at Lido will host the film's world premiere, showcasing the talents of this ensemble in an out-of-competition screening.
The eagerly awaited "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" will hit U.S. theaters on September 6 through Warner Bros., with international releases commencing on September 4. The story follows the Deetz family, as three generations move back into their Winter River home following a sudden family tragedy. When Lydia's (Ryder) rebellious teenage daughter Astrid (Ortega) discovers a portal to the afterlife concealed in the basement, she unwittingly summons the mischievous spirit of Beetlejuice by repeating his name three times, inviting him to unleash his antics within the Deetz family home once again.
"Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" showcases the latest horror offering starring scream queen Jenna Ortega, who has firmly established herself as a genre staple. Her previous credits include starring in Burton's Netflix original series "Wednesday" as the titular Addams' family member, as well as Ti West's "X" and two installments of the rebooted "Scream" franchise.
In a statement, Venice Film Festival's artistic director Alberto Barbera enthused, "'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' marks the triumphant return of one of Tim Burton's most iconic characters. It is also a triumphant confirmation of the exceptional visionary talent and masterful craftsmanship of one of the most fascinating filmmakers of our time. The Venice Biennale is honored and proud to present the world premiere of this work, which showcases a breathtaking blend of creative imagination and a driving hallucinatory rhythm."
Burton expressed immense enthusiasm, exclaiming, "This is a thrilling moment for me. Having the world premiere of this film at the prestigious Venice Film Festival holds immense significance." Burton helmed the film "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," scripted by the dynamic duo of Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, who are also known for their work on "Wednesday." The production is backed by an esteemed team of producers, including Burton himself alongside Marc Toberoff, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Tommy Harper, and with Gough, Millar, Sara Desmond, Katterli Frauenfelder, Larry Wilson, Laurence Senelick, and Brad Pitt serving as executive producers.
As Variety had anticipated, this year's Venice Film Festival promises to be a glittering event, boasting an array of Hollywood stars like Lady Gaga, Joaquin Phoenix, Angelina Jolie, Daniel Craig, Johnny Depp, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Gal Gadot, and Ana de Armas, all set to premiere their highly anticipated films on the Lido.
Among the anticipated highlights is "Joker 2: Folie à Deux," the edgy musical sequel directed by Todd Phillips and starring Gaga and Phoenix, which is a strong contender for the competition. Pablo Larraín's biographical drama "Maria," starring Jolie in the titular role, is also expected to make waves. Additionally, Luca Guadagnino's adaptation of William S. Burroughs' "Queer," starring Daniel Craig as the renowned counterculture author's alter ego, an exiled American expatriate battling heroin addiction, is another potential contender. The film also features Drew Starkey, the star of "Outer Banks," as a younger man who captures the expatriate's unwavering affection.
Rounding up the star-studded lineup is the action-comedy "Wolfs" directed by Jon Watts, starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt as two solitary agents forced to collaborate in covering up a high-profile crime. And Ron Howard's survival thriller "Eden," featuring Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Sydney Sweeney, Vanessa Kirby, and Daniel Brühl, is also in the mix.
There's even a possibility of Johnny Depp returning to Venice as the director of "Modì," a biopic about Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, starring Riccardo Scamarcio as the rebellious painter and Al Pacino as international art collector Maurice Gangnat. The 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival will be held from August 28 to September 7, and the full lineup will be unveiled on July 23.
