‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ also known as “Beetlejuice 2” is a 2024 American fantasy comedy horror film directed by Tim Burton. The movie is a sequel to the 1988 film ‘Beetlejuice’ and is the second film in the Beetlejuice series. The screenplay is written by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, based on a story by Gough, Millar, and Seth Grahame-Smith. The movie brings back original cast members like Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara, along with new stars such as Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Jenna Ortega, and Willem Dafoe.
The story takes place 36 years after the original film and follows the Deetz family as they return to Winter River after the sudden death of Charles Deetz. Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers a mysterious model of the town in the attic, accidentally opening a portal to the Afterlife and releasing Betelgeuse.
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ will have its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 28, 2024. It is set to release in theaters overseas on September 4, 2024, and in the United States on September 6, 2024, by Warner Bros. Pictures.
After many years of trying to make a sequel, ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ finally continues the story of Lydia Deetz, introducing her daughter, Astrid. The movie trailer shows that many of the settings from the original film are still used in this new film. Let’s explore the filming locations for ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.’
Where was “Beetlejuice 2” Filmed?
The journey to making “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” was not easy. Initially, filming was planned to begin in mid-2022. However, it got delayed and finally started on May 10, 2023, in London. This delay was partly due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. After the strike, production officially began with Haris Zambarloukos as the cinematographer and Jay Prychidny as the editor.
Filming took place at various locations, including Princess Helena College in Preston, Hertfordshire, and East Corinth, Vermont. Unfortunately, the production was paused again in July due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Tim Burton mentioned that the movie was nearly complete, with just two days of filming left when the strike began. Finally, filming resumed on November 16, 2023, in Melrose, Massachusetts, and wrapped up in Vermont on November 30, 2023.
East Corinth, Vermont
East Corinth, Vermont, is a small town that holds special significance in the “Beetlejuice” world. Just like in the original movie, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” uses this town as a stand-in for the fictional Winter River. The movie trailer opens with beautiful overhead shots of East Corinth, setting the tone for the film. In the movie, Jenna Ortega, who plays Astrid Deetz, is seen cycling past several landmarks in the town, including Miss Shannon’s School for Girls. The old Masonic lodge in East Corinth was used as a stand-in for the school, and other parts of the town were redecorated to match the unique look of the first film.
One of the most significant changes to East Corinth during filming was the construction of the Deetz family’s house. While the interior scenes were shot elsewhere, the house’s distinctive Gothic facade was built on a hillside overlooking the town. However, in this sequel, the house is covered in black drapery for a post-funeral scene, giving it a different appearance from the first movie. Despite these changes, returning to East Corinth connects this movie to the original in a meaningful way.
Melrose, Massachusetts
While East Corinth was the major location for outside shots, certain sequences were also filmed in Melrose, Massachusetts. The production team was forced to relocate to Melrose owing to an unanticipated SAG-AFTRA strike, which put a temporary halt to filming. The Boston Globe stated that several nocturnal Halloween shots were filmed in Melrose. Although the film’s primary events take place in Winter River, the transition to Melrose introduces a new setting that lends variation to the images.
Director Tim Burton stated that the film was 99% finished before they relocated to Melrose. Although Melrose is not as well-known as East Corinth, it plays a little but significant role in the film’s plot.
England
While many of the movie’s most memorable scenes were filmed in East Corinth and Melrose, a significant portion of the movie was shot in England. Most of the interior scenes were filmed in London studios, marking a change from the original movie, which used Culver City Studios in California. The decision to film in England was influenced by the ongoing strikes and uncertainty surrounding the production schedule in 2023.
Although the London locations were essential for Beetlejuice 2’s extensive studio work, they were not the only English settings seen in the movie. As The Direct confirms, a wedding sequence for the movie was filmed in the Hertfordshire town of Hitchin at an abandoned boarding school. Additionally, school sequences were filmed at Princess Helena College in Preston, Hertfordshire. This suggests that some of the film’s external shots will likely blend both English and American locations.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” brings together a mix of old and new locations to create a visually stunning film that continues the story of the original. From the small town of East Corinth, Vermont, to the bustling city of London, each location plays a crucial role in bringing Tim Burton’s vision to life. Whether it’s the hauntingly beautiful Deetz house or the mysterious English boarding school, these locations add depth and character to the film. As fans eagerly await the release, they can look forward to revisiting familiar places while also exploring new ones in this highly anticipated sequel.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Q: Where was “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” filmed?
A: “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” was filmed in various locations, including East Corinth, Vermont, Melrose, Massachusetts, and several locations in England, such as London and Hitchin in Hertfordshire.
Q: Why was East Corinth, Vermont, chosen as a filming location?
A: East Corinth, Vermont, was chosen because it served as the original location for the fictional town of Winter River in the 1988 “Beetlejuice” movie. The sequel returns to this town to maintain continuity with the first film.
Q: When was “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” filmed?
A: Filming for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” began on May 10, 2023, in London. After some delays due to strikes, it resumed on November 16, 2023, in Melrose, Massachusetts, and wrapped up on November 30, 2023.
Q: What challenges did the production face during filming?
A: The production faced delays due to the 2023 WGA strike and the SAG-AFTRA strike. These strikes caused interruptions in filming, resulting in the production team relocating from Vermont to Melrose, Massachusetts, for additional scenes.
Q: When is “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” scheduled to be released?
A: “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is scheduled to premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 28, 2024. It will be released overseas on September 4, 2024, and in the United States on September 6, 2024.
