There is a lot of speculation regarding Johnny Depp's possible involvement in Tim Burton's Beetlejuice 2's cast.
With the 2023 news that Beetlejuice 2 was confirmed to be happening, the Johnny Depp casting rumors resurfaced, now interwoven with the ongoing saga surrounding his widely publicized legal issues with Amber Heard. The Beetlejuice sequel's past is checkered with numerous attempts to resurrect the "ghost with the most" for the big screen. It's taken several attempts for Beetlejuice 2's story. Depp wasn't in the original Beetlejuice, and had the sequel arrived during the height of his partnership with Burton — who is returning to direct — it's a safe bet he would have been cast.
Original Characters Still Missing From Beetlejuice 2
In addition to Beetlejuice, Lydia, and Delia, there are some great missing original characters who still must return for Beetlejuice 2.
Johnny Depp Was Never Confirmed For Beetlejuice 2
It Was Always Just Rumors Tied To Tim Burton's Past
At the moment, there is no confirmation that Johnny Depp will appear in Beetlejuice 2. The cast for the Beetlejuice sequel, however, does feature returns from Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara. Still, Depp's name has not come up in the conversation — at least not publicly. While Beetlejuice 2 certainly fits Tim Burton's wheelhouse of gothic horror, he doesn't seem to be bringing his two muses with him, as neither Depp nor Helena Bonham Carter are attached to the project.
Granted, one of Burton's new professional partners is ing, with Jenna Ortega playing Lydia's daughter, Astrid. Ortega stars Wednesday, which Burton has directed and is actively serving as an executive producer on. While some fear Ortega might slip into a pattern of appearing in Burton projects, it is an interesting change for the filmmaker. Not only that but without Bonham-Carter signed onto the Beetlejuice 2 cast, Monica Bellucci has signed on for the project, making it look like Burton might be turning the page in his career. Bellucci will play Beetlejuice's wife, a role that Bonham-Carter could have slid into perfectly based on her past performances.
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From Catherine O'Hara to Johnny Depp, here are 12 actors who have had the most appearances in Tim Burton's movies, including 2024's Beetlejuice 2.
Jenna Ortega Seemingly Shut Down Rumors That Johnny Depp Appears In Beetlejuice 2
The Actress Commented On Romance Rumors
In addition to rumors suggesting the actor was cast in Beetlejuice 2, there have been rumors saying Depp has been in a romantic relationship with the sequel's young star, Jenna Ortega. While doing press for the movie, Ortega was asked, "What's the craziest rumor you've heard about yourself?" as part of a Buzzfeed interview (via YouTube), where she addressed the Depp rumors. Ortega shot down the rumors and reiterated, "I don't know that person," in reference to Depp. She had previously shared that she never met with him or worked with him.
Jenna Ortega Isn't The Only Wednesday Actor Reuniting With Tim Burton In Beetlejuice 2
The cast of 2024's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice includes another actor other than Jenna Ortega from Tim Burton's Wednesday season 1 episodes.
Why There Are Rumors Johnny Depp Is In Beetlejuice 2
Depp Has A History Of Doing Surprise Cameos
While it seems there's nothing to substantiate the Johnny Depp rumors surrounding Beetlejuice 2 beyond the fact he's worked a lot with Tim Burton, they're not entirely without cause. There have been many attempts to get Beetlejuice 2 off the ground, and while Depp hasn't been cast, he has been associated with previous failed iterations of the project. There was a Beetlejuice 2 cast list (possibly auto-compiled) by Google in 2022 (via JoBlo) that showed Johnny Depp’s name listed alongside Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder, both of whom reprise their original roles for the Beetlejuice sequel.
Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder previously starred together in Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands.
Nevertheless, other than the rumors with the Google cast sheet, there was never an actual reason to think Depp would be part of Beetlejuice 2. Fans will always connect Depp and Burton, and their relationship has been long and fruitful. Conversely, Depp has been known to cameo in films, such as his small role in the 21 Jump Street movie and in Kevin Smith's Tusk, meaning a Beetlejuice 2 appearance cannot be technically ruled out given Depp's and Burton's successful history together. Until Beetlejuice 2 releases, the possibility of a Depp surprise cameo can't be completely ruled out.
Even before the Amber Heard trial, it was never a cut-and-dry case of studios opening their wallets at the prospect of another Depp-Burton partnership, as much as some may believe otherwise. Depp officially started his comeback with Jeanne du Barry, a movie that debuted to phenomenal critical acclaim at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. The movie enjoyed its premiere at Cannes, and the audience gave the film a seven-minute standing ovation. Next up, Depp is confirmed to be directing a movie titled Modì – Three Days on the Wing of Madness and a role in The Carnival at the End of Days.
Source: Buzzfeed/YouTube, JoBlo
- Cast
- Danny DeVito, Sami Slimane, Amy Nuttall, Mark Heenehan, Charlie Hopkinson, Liv Spencer, Skylar Park, Matthew Lyons, Jane Leaney, David Ayres, Sophie Holland, Walles Hamonde
- Runtime
- 104 Minutes
- Director
- Tim Burton
- Distributor(s)
- Warner Bros. Pictures
