The character Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice, portrayed by Winona Ryder, had an unexpected evolution as she grew up. Ryder, who originally portrayed Lydia in Tim Burton’s 1988 classic, returns to play the character in the highly anticipated Beetlejuice sequel. After 36 years since fans were introduced to Lydia, the goth girl at the heart of Burton’s iconic film, they have certain expectations of how Lydia would have matured. Ryder, however, found it challenging to envision Lydia as an adult. In an interview with Slash Film, she confessed, “I never pictured Lydia having children or being in any type of relationship. I always thought she would be in her own world as she got older, probably residing in the attic, content but solitary.”
The upcoming sequel to the cult classic comedy Beetlejuice (1988) is set to feature a reimagined Lydia Deetz, who is no longer just a teenager but now a mother to a teenage daughter and the host of a television series called Ghost House With Lydia Deetz. Winona Ryder, reprising her role as Lydia, shared that her character has evolved to fit this new narrative, especially as she interacts with her on-screen daughter, portrayed by Jenna Ortega, and her boyfriend, played by Justin Theroux.
Ryder expressed that the dynamic on set with Ortega and Theroux greatly influenced her portrayal of Lydia in this new context, and reflects on how her character would have never imagined herself in front of a camera. Additionally, the reunion with original cast members Michael Keaton and Catherine O’Hara, as well as director Tim Burton, brings a sense of nostalgia to the sequel. Joining the cast are new additions including Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, Burn Gorman, Danny DeVito, Arthur Conti, and Filipe Cates, adding further anticipation for this highly-anticipated sequel.
In the highly anticipated sequel to Beetlejuice, the Deetz family faces a new challenge following the death of Charles Deetz. The narrative spans three generations and centers around Lydia’s teenage daughter, Astrid, who inadvertently reopens the portal to the Afterlife, thereby summoning Beetlejuice once again. Director Ortega has hinted that Astrid’s character will be distinct from her mother’s, not conforming to the expected archetype but still carrying shades of complexity. The film, set to open the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 28, 2024, promises to captivate audiences and is poised to make a significant impact at the box office, potentially joining the ranks of the biggest September releases of all time. For those eager to revisit the original, the 1988 Beetlejuice film is currently available for streaming on Max.