Michael Keaton Makes Bold Statement About ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Co-Star Jenna Ortega

Michael Keaton and Jenna Ortega

Michael Keaton has nothing but admiration for Jenna Ortega after working with her for their upcoming film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the forthcoming sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 cult classic horror comedy.

Keaton, 72, made a bold statement about his experience acting with Ortega as he walked the red carpet at the March 14 theatrical premiere for his new film Knox Goes Away.

“Oh boy, she’s good,” Keaton said of the Wednesday star while speaking with Entertainment Tonight. “She showed up and just immediately knew what the tone was, and just slipped in like she does that every day.”

Ortega, 21, is “really special,” he added.

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Keaton starred in the original film as its title character and is returning to the role for the sequel, which has a theatrical release date of September 6, 2024. Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder are also reprising their roles as Delia and Lydia Deetz in the sequel. Ortega will be playing Astrid Deetz, the daughter of Ryder’s character.

Ortega said in an interview with Vanity Fair earlier this year that she “always loved” the first Beetlejuice movie. She recalled being familiar with the Beetlejuice and Lydia characters before ever watching the film, adding, “I was able to recognize costumes just because it was everywhere.”

Though Ortega has avoided speaking too much about her character ahead of the sequel’s release, she told the magazine that her character is “weird” but “not in the way you’d assume.” She has also described the mother-daughter relationship between her character and Ryder’s as “very important.”

With several months remaining until the Burton-directed Beetlejuice Beetlejuice arrives in theaters, Ortega is expected to stay busy filming the second season of Wednesday, which Deadline reported will begin shooting in April. Meanwhile, Keaton has been focusing on promoting Knox Goes Away, which he starred in and directed. Al Pacino and James Marsden also starred in the thriller about a hitman who tries to protect his estranged son while battling dementia.

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