Tim Burton on ‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel: “It’s Closer Than Ever”

A Beetlejuice sequel is something that fans have hoped for pretty much since the release of the first movie. Now director Tim Burton is here with a holiday gift, saying that the second film is “closer than ever.”

Talking to IGN to promote his Dec. 25 release Big Eyes, Burton was asked about a follow-up to the 1988 original, which starred Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder (both of whom have expressed interest in reprising their roles in a new movie).

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“There is a script,” Burton said, “and I would love to work with [Keaton] again. I think there is now a better chance than ever. I miss that character. There’s something that’s cathartic and amazing about it. I think it’s closer than ever.”

A second Beetlejuice has been in development for a couple of years, with Burton’s Dark Shadows collaborator Seth Grahame-Smith responsible for the screenplay along with David Katzenberg.