Development on the long-gestating legacy sequel, Beetlejuice 2, seems to be finally ramping up. Following news that Wednesday and Scream VI star Jenna Ortega is now circling a lead role in the project, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Beetlejuice director Tim Burton is expected to return to the director’s chair, with star Michael Keaton reprising the title role.

Not only that, but it is also now being reported that Beetlejuice 2 is eyeing a production start in either late May or early June this year, with filming expected to take place in London. So, could audiences at last see Beetlejuice summoned once again after all these years?

Released way, way back in the before time of 1988, Beetlejuice is directed by Tim Burton, and written by Michael McDowell, Larry Wilson, and Warren Skaaren. Starring Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O'Hara, Winona Ryder, and Michael Keaton, this gothic tale ghosts and ghouls begins when newly deceased couple, Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin as Barbara and Adam Maitland respectively, contact the devious "bio-exorcist" Beetlejuice, bringing him up from the Netherworld in order to scare away the new inhabitants of their old house — a house they are currently haunting.

Beetlejuice was both a critical and commercial success upon release, with the project remaining one of the most beloved in the decade-spanning careers of both director Tim Burton and actor Michael Keaton. The success of the first movie spawned an animated series, several video games, and a stage musical, but never the sequel that fans have been waiting for. Not yet, anyway...

RELATED: Beetlejuice 2 Backed by Original Star Geena Davis

Jenna Ortega in Talks to Star in Beetlejuice 2

Jenna Ortega in Wednesday
Netflix

Beetlejuice 2 has been in the works on-and-off for some time, with Burton beginning work on a follow-up as far back as 1990 with the ill-fated Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian. The project is now in the hands of Plan B Entertainment alongside Warner Bros. Pictures, and while their plans for the sequel are largely being kept under wraps, it has now been reported that Jenna Ortega, who recently led the Netflix series Wednesday for producer and director Tim Burton, is now in talks to star.

Sources have claimed that Ortega would play the daughter of Lydia Deetz, played in the first Beetlejuice by Winona Ryder, with her character being dragged into another escapade alongside the undead rascal that is Beetlejuice.

Jenna Ortega’s star has risen rapidly over the last few years, with the actress receiving critical acclaim for performances in the likes of You, X, 2022’s Scream, and this month’s Scream VI. The actress has become something of a sensation since leading the Netflix series Wednesday, which follows The Addams Family sibling, Wednesday Addams. Now a teenager, Wednesday follows the character to school, where she attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart a killing spree, and solve the mystery that embroiled her parents.

The series has been a major hit for the streaming service, and Wednesday has now been renewed for a second season.