With the highly anticipated sequel to Beetlejuice scheduled for release on September 6, 2024, there has been much speculation about whether Burton will return to his prime.
To be honest, I don’t think that really is the point.
Burton is old, and so is Keaton and their fans. Even those who watched the original Beetlejuice would now be over 50 years old. The world had already witnessed their achievements and now a sequel is enough to get them hyped, just like how Miyazaki’s fans appreciated his latest movie.
- The reunion of Beetlejuice 2 is a gift. Everybody wants it, including Burton’s old friend, Michael Keaton.
34 years ago, Tim Burton scouted Michael Keaton’s talent and together they brought to the world Beetlejuice, which has a huge global impact over decades.
When Tim Burton introduced the world to his unique “Burtonesque” aesthetic in the original Beetlejuice in 1988, he also shaped Michael Keaton’s career by starring him as the iconic eponymous character Beetlejuice.
Though not the lead character, Michael Keaton's distinctive portrayal of the character left a strong impression on viewers due to his frenetic energy and dark humor. Inspired by Tim Burton's description of the character as a timeless and omnipresent figure, Keaton chose to depict Betelgeuse with a varied wardrobe, unkempt hair as if hit by electric shock, decayed teeth, and a complexion suggestive of an aged and weathered being.
While this portrayal of Beetlejuice as a chaotic and unpredictable force of nature was a departure from Keaton's previous roles, it provided him an opportunity to showcase his flexibility as an actor.
(Michael Keaton in Night Shift, 1982)
(Michael Keaton in Beetlejuice, 1988)
However, when Burton decided to cast Keaton as Batman in the 1989 film, it sparked considerable controversy among comic book fans, who sent 50,000 protest letters to Warner Bros against the actor best known for his roles in comedies at that time.
Even so, Tim Burton insisted that the most dramatic charm of Batman is the Bruce Wayne’s humanity against obsession, instead of the traditional physicality of the heroic image of Batman. He believed that Keaton’s edgy, tormented quality in previous roles could effectively apply to the aforementioned characteristic of Bruce Wayne.
Burton's decision was a daring move that paid off, as Batman became more than just a summer blockbuster. This film, in fact, sparked a sensation, moulding contemporary marketing campaign for superhero movies in Hollywood. It held its place as Warner Bros' top-grossing film until it was surpassed by Twister in 1996. Moreover, it stood as the most profitable film adapted from a DC comic book until The Dark Knight overtook it in 2008.
Three years later, Burton fought for more creative control in the sequel Batman Returns. He refused to take on the project until the Warner Bros studio promised him it will be a Burton film.
Burton then invited Keaton to collaborate with him again and he reprised his role as Bruce Wayne.
However, not every bold move will yield significant success. Although its box office was relatively okay, it failed to replicate the longevity of Batman's theatrical run.
The film received a divided response from professional critics. Some found the sequel to be an improvement, while others felt it was too personal to resonate with a wider audience. Despite Keaton's commendable effort, the storyline was perceived as bleak and unexciting. Interestingly, some critics pointed out that scenes without Batman stood out as the most compelling.
Warner Bros was not happy about the reception. They still wanted Burton to make the third Batman film but they heavily interfered in Burton’s creativity. Burton, refusing to accept Warner Bros’ opinions, lost his director role.
To support Burton, Keaton left the project without any hesitation and went as far as to show up for costume fitting for another film. Even when Warner Bros offered him $15 million for collaborating with the new director, Val Kilmer, he steadfastly refused.
Keaton kept in touch with Burton and they worked together again for Dumbo in 2019. However, their collaboration with Disney was way below their expectations. Disney saw the market potential of Keaton and Burton’s reunion, but they didn’t give Burton enough creative licence either. The film ultimately flopped, but that didn’t necessarily mean that Keaton’s collaboration with Burton was the problem.
The upcoming Beetlejuice sequel, of course, is an exciting opportunity for the Burton--Keaton duo to showcase their unique creative chemistry.
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