Tim Burton’s ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ To Open Venice Film Festival

UPDATED: The 81st Venice Film Festival will open with the world premiere of Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice starring Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Justin Theroux and Monica Bellucci, with Jenna Ortega and Willem Dafoe.

The Warner Bros sequel will be screened out of competition on Wednesday, August 28 at the Sala Grande, the festival said Tuesday. This will mark a return to the sort of glitzy red carpet with which Venice has become synonymous, after last year’s Lido event had less star-wattage than usual as it took place amid the SAG-AFTRA strike. Warner Bros starts international rollout on Beetlejuice 2 on September 4 with domestic joining September 6.

Said Venice chief Alberto Barbera today, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice marks the long-awaited return of one of the most iconic characters of Tim Burton’s cinema, but also the happy confirmation of the extraordinary visionary talent and the masterly realization of one of the most fascinating auteurs of his time. The Venice Biennale is honored and proud to host the world premiere of a work that features a surprising swing of creative imagination and driving hallucinatory rhythm.” (Fun fact: Barbera served on the Tim Burton-led Cannes Film Festival jury in 2010.)

Added Burton, “I’m very excited by this. It means a lot to me to have the world premiere of this film at the Venice Film Festival.”

Burton previously received a Career Achievement Golden Lion in 2007 and has presented two films in Venice, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride. Keaton has more recently been on the Lido with eventual Best Picture Oscar winners Spotlight and Birdman.

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In the sequel to Beetlejuice, Burton’s classic 1988 supernatural comedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River following an unexpected tragedy. Still haunted by Beetlejuice (Keaton), Lydia’s (Ryder) life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Ortega), discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.

This year’s Venice runs from August 28-September 7 with French star Isabelle Huppert acting as jury president. Due for Golden Lions for Lifetime Achievement are Australian filmmaker Peter Weir and American actress Sigourney Weaver. 

Barbera will unveil the full lineup for this year’s Venice on July 23.