Michael Keaton on BeetleJuice 2

Michael Keatonis ecstatic to be reprising his classic character inBeetlejuice 2.

While out atEmpire’s VIP event on Saturday, the actor gushed over just how amped he is to be back at it as the mischievous ghost and “bio-exorcist.”

“[Burton] and I were talking about it years and years ago, never telling anybody. We’ve both said we’re doing it many times. We both agreed, if it happens, it has to be done as close to the way we made it the first time. Making stuff up, making stuff happen, improvising and riffing, but literally handmade stuff like people creating things with their hands and building something.”

“F—in’ great,” he added. “It’s the most fun I’ve had working on a movie in I can’t tell you how long.”

Saturday’s event featured an advanced screening ofThe Flash, where Keaton reprises another iconic role — his wildly popular version of Batman from 1989’s title film, which was also screened.

Stefanie Keenan/VF23/WireImage

Michael Keaton attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023

News of theBeetlejuicesequel was officially announced last month, withWinona Ryderalso returning for her beloved role.Jenna OrtegaandJustin Therouxwere also announced to be joining the cast.

The long-awaited sequel comes after multiple failed attempts at a second movie, including a script forBeetlejuice Goes Hawaiianin the 1990s, according toThe Week. In the 2010s, there was another movement to revive the characters for a sequel, but production stalled, and in 2019, Burton toldUSA Todayhe doubtedBeetlejuice 2would be made.

Then in 2022,Deadlinereported thatBrad Pitt’s production company, Plan B, had signed on.

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Warner Brothers /courtesy Everett Collection

BEETLEJUICE, Michael Keaton, 1988

Days later, news broke thatMonica Bellucci, who isrumored to be dating Burton, is among the new cast members in the sequel. TheMafia Mammastar is set to play Beetlejuice’s wife.

Willem Dafoealso joined the cast and is believed to be playing a law enforcement officer in the afterlife, perThe Hollywood Reporter.

Beetlejuice 2is set to be released in theaters on Sept. 6, 2024.

source: people.com