Fact check: Has Johnny Depp been cast for Beetlejuice 2? Explained

Releasing on September 6, 2024, Beetlejuice 2 has spurred a lot of conjecture, mostly about Johnny Depp's possible casting. Depp's long-standing relationship with Tim Burton makes viewers interested in whether he will feature in the much-awaited sequel. Officially, though, Depp's participation in the project is not confirmed. Fans remain in suspense as the cast announcements don't have his name despite ongoing rumors.

On August 28, 2024, Beetlejuice 2 opened the 81st Venice International Film Festival. Warner Bros. Pictures will theatrically release it overseas on September 4, 2024. However, two days later, on September 6, 2024, it's scheduled to be published in the United States.

It's speculated to continue the 1988 film's ghostly adventures. Tim Burton returns as director and reunites with Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice and Winona Ryder as Lydia. After Charles Deetz's unexpected death 36 years after Beetlejuice, the Deetz family returns to Winter River.

Lydia's life changes when her rebellious teenage daughter Astrid finds the mysterious town model in the attic and accidentally opens the Afterlife portal, releasing Betelgeuse.

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Beetlejuice 2: The plot analysis of the movie

Reaching further into the life of its eccentric and supernatural characters, the film picks up years after the events of the original movie. Returning as the cheeky ghost Beetlejuice, Michael Keaton defines the appeal of the original film.

Winona Ryder's Lydia Deetz is also back, now joined by Jenna Ortega's daughter Astrid. The plot is supposed to follow fresh ghostly encounters while revisiting some of the original characters who enthralled viewers decades ago.

The movie also introduces a fresh dynamic to the narrative, with Monica Bellucci's enigmatic portrayal as Beetlejuice's wife. Under Tim Burton's direction, the film should keep the dark humor and eccentricity of the original while adding modern components to appeal to a younger generation of viewers.

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Johnny Depp and his connection with Beetlejuice 2

Johnny Depp's long relationship with Tim Burton fuels the conjecture about his participation in Beetlejuice 2. Edward Scissorhands and Sweeney Todd have collaborated, but depite rumors, there's no official word confirming that Depp will be on the cast.

Following the announcement of the sequel in 2023, coinciding with Depp's well-reported legal conflicts, these rumors were revived, but no hard data has surfaced to confirm his participation.

Depp's well-known inclination for surprise cameos is one reason for the ongoing rumors. His roles in films like Tusk and 21 Jump Street have left viewers wondering about possible hidden roles.

Further fuelling conjecture was a Google cast list from 2022 that mistakenly included Depp's name alongside confirmed actors. Depp is not confirmed for Beetlejuice 2 as of yet, so his possible role is just hypothetical.

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Rumors and clarifications

Particularly among those engaged in the project, rumors about Johnny Depp's casting in Beetlejuice 2 have been greeted with rejections. One of the new stars of the sequel, Jenna Ortega, refuted these rumors in an interview by saying she has never met Depp, negating any ideas of his participation.

The choice of fresh performers like Ortega and Monica Bellucci devoid of Depp or Burton's other regular collaborator Helena Bonham Carter suggests that the director might be veering creatively with this sequel.

Although the excitement for Beetlejuice 2 keeps rising, no official word regarding Johnny Depp's participation in the movie has emerged. Although he has a long history with director Tim Burton, rumors linking him to the project remain unfounded.

Fans will have to wait and see whether Depp makes a surprise visit or if it will be Burton's project devoid of his regular collaborator as the release date of the movie draws near. With a mix of returning favorites and intriguing fresh faces, Beetlejuice 2 seems to be a worthy sequel.