Will ‘Beetlejuice 2’ Ever Happen? Tim Burton’s Sequel Repeatedly Put On Back Burner

The Halloween classic “Beetlejuice” will air on TV plenty this month, but fans are wondering when they’ll see Michael Keaton’s crazy ghost in a new movie. “Beetlejuice 2” has repeatedly been confirmed, but it seems like the sequel may never happen.

In 1988, “Beetlejuice” earned $75 million at the box office and “Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian” was greenlit shortly after. Despite a script and enthusiasm from director Tim Burton and stars Keaton and Winona Ryder, nothing ever came of it.

Then, about 10 years ago, nostalgia started getting trendier and talks were brought up again. When on “Late Night With Seth Meyers” in 2015, Ryder was asked if she could confirm a sequel. “I think I can confirm it,” she said, adding that she doesn’t know much about it.

There were reports of writers being hired over the next couple years with thoughts of something concrete happening by the time the 30th anniversary rolled around in 2019. Supposedly, the cast even agreed to sign on as long as Burton directs.

However, in 2019, Burton didn’t sound optimistic about the long-gestating sequel, despite the fact that the Broadway musical version was about to premiere.

He said, “Nothing, nothing,” when USA Today asked what was happening with “Beetlejuice 2.” When asked if it was going to happen, Burton made it clear that he wasn’t expecting it.

“I don't know. I doubt it,” he said at the time.

Warner Bros. confirmed in a statement, "The project isn’t in active development."

For now, fans will just have to enjoy the original. Ryder said that kids still come up to her about the film, and that’s likely because it airs on TV a ton, especially in October. This year, Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween will have their first airing of the month on Monday at 9 p.m. EDT.