Summary
Jenna Ortega discusses how her experience onBeetlejuice Beetlejuicediffered from her past work with Tim Burton onWednesday. Ortega first worked with Burton when she played the titular character inWednesdayseason 1, a part which earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. Ortega teamed up with Burton again for2024’sBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, wherein she played Lydia Deetz’s daughter Astrid.
In an exclusive interview withScreen Rant, Ortega details how working with Burton onBeetlejuice Beetlejuicediffered from her experience onWednesday. While he was still “energetic” on the show, the director transformed forBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, wherein he had this “childlike excitement and wonder and spontaneity.” Check out the full quote from Ortega below:
Jenna Ortega: I caught [Tim Burton] a year before all this happened, in Romania shooting Wednesday. And I remember he was always so kind and so pleasant, and he was very energetic and if someone was doing a stunt, he would do it first to show it - very hands-on.
But I will say it was a very different experience doing this movie with him, because it was that childlike excitement and wonder and spontaneity, and you could tell his gears were turning. He was just very obviously invested, and that was so exciting and pushed us to take it further and give more and do more. It just felt so collaborative and nice and safe. It was very sweet to see.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Got Tim Burton Back Into Film
The Director Was Hesitant About Ever Making More Movies
Before embarking onBeetlejuice Beetlejuice,Burton originally reportedthat he was not interested in going back into film. His previous feature had been the live-action adaptation ofDumboin 2019, after which he felt he’d “had enough with studios.” This disinterest in the medium is part of what led the director to makeWednesday, as it would allow him the opportunity to further explore the potential in his television career.
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Interestingly enough, Ortega has described the opposite when it came to taking herWednesdayrole. The actor has expressed that she was originally hesitant to accept, due to her growing interest in exploring the film side of her career. As a child actor, Ortega had grown up appearing on Disney Channel and as young Jane inJane the Virgin, so TV was how she spent the majority of her career. Film opportunities likeThe FalloutandXwere her opportunities to establish herself on the silver screen, whereasWednesdaywould be a return to form.
Wednesdayproved to be a star-making project for Ortega, as the show became one of Netflix’s biggest hits of all time. She and Burton are both returning for season 2, which is currently in production.
So,WednesdayandBeetlejuice Beetlejuicepushed Ortega and Burton, respectively, into areas of their careers that they were not as sure about exploring. This makes it such that the pair could grow into their roles together, pushing each other in each medium in the process. Based on theBeetlejuice Beetlejuicetrailers, it is evident why Burton might look to the film as a creative reinvigoration. LIke its ’80s predecessor, the supernatural romp looks to be raucous and genuine fun. Burton’s experience withBeetlejuice Beetlejuicecould even inspire him to make more movies.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Cast
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the sequel to the original Tim Burton classic that starred Michael Keaton and Wynona Rider in a horror-comedy that involved ghosts trying to scare off new homebuyers from taking their house. The sequel brings back Michael Keaton as the hilarious and sleazy ghost with selfish intentions, now joined by Jenna Ortega in a new role.
Wednesday
Wednesday follows the journey of Wednesday Addams as she attends Nevermore Academy, a boarding school for outcasts. Tasked with mastering her psychic abilities, she confronts a series of town murders and a haunting family mystery from 25 years ago, all while managing new social dynamics.
