Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice 3 Return Chances Clarified By Sequel Writers (Exclusive)

EXCLUSIVE: It’s showtime, as Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice may not be over just yet.

The Beetlejuice franchise is a dark comedy and fantasy empire created by Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson and directed by Tim Burton, which is centered around a chaotic demon who wreaks havoc on those he crosses paths with. It was first introduced as a dark, violent horror script by McDowell and was later rewritten to introduce comedic relief, with Burton approaching the script in 1988 and turning it into a gothic camp classic.

In an exclusive interview celebrating Smallville‘s 25th anniversary with ScreenRant‘s Andy Behbakht, showrunners Al Gough and Miles Millar discussed Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and the potential for a third installment. Tragically, the passing of the legendary Catherine O’Hara would feel like a huge missing piece of a third movie in the Beetlejuice franchise, with Gough and Millar addressing exactly how difficult making an entirely new film would be without her presence:

ScreenRant: Seeing you guys work together with Tim Burton, it’s a crossover I never saw happening, but I’m glad it happened. Not only have you been involved with Wednesday these last few years, but you also decided to take on this other iconic franchise with Beetlejuice, and we have a lot of people at ScreenRant who loved Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice. Are there any chances for a third one?

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Al Gough: You never say never, but that’s really up to Tim. And I think with Catherine’s passing, it’s certainly harder. Yeah.

Miles Millar: No, that’s the answer. It’s just [harder.]

ScreenRant: Seeing you guys work together with Tim Burton, it’s a crossover I never saw happening, but I’m glad it happened. Not only have you been involved with Wednesday these last few years, but you also decided to take on this other iconic franchise with Beetlejuice, and we have a lot of people at ScreenRant who loved Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice. Are there any chances for a third one?

Al Gough: You never say never, but that’s really up to Tim. And I think with Catherine’s passing, it’s certainly harder. Yeah.

Miles Millar: No, that’s the answer. It’s just [harder.]

With Burton’s decision being the make-or-break for a potential return to the fantastical world of Beetlejuice, it leaves the franchise open-ended. However, longtime viewers of the beloved horror/comedy movie series will surely feel the absence of O’Hara. The actress appeared in the 2024 sequel and reprised her role as the iconic character Delia Deetz alongside Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Monica Bellucci, Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Danny DeVito, Willem Dafoe, and many more.

The Beetlejuice franchise has had many additions, including the original 1988 movie, a four-season animated series, the iconic Broadway musical, which has earned eight Tony nominations, and the legacy sequel released in 2024. 2024’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was a major box office success and grossed over $451 million worldwide proving that the love for the camp franchise is still alive and well with new generations embracing Burton’s wild portrayal of the chaotic demon.

The sequel also achieved impressive critical acclaim with a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. ScreenRant‘s Alex Harrison stated that, “Watching these lauded performers is always a pleasure, but they also understand this project the best; their scenes are the closest the sequel gets to how its predecessor felt.”

While there’s clearly space for a Beetlejuice 3, the tragic passing of O’Hara leaves a heavy weight for many of her adoring fans and those who appreciate the Beetlejuice legacy. Burton has shared he currently has no plans for a third installment, but Warner Bros. has been reported to be exploring a potential new movie, with stars such as Ortega sharing they won’t reprise their role unless Burton returns to direct.

Smallville is available through home media release and on streaming.