Jenna Ortega and Catherine O’Hara

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is arriving in only a few weeks. As pleasure ramps up for Tim Burton’s sequel to his cult traditional—which has solely gained in recognition since its launch practically 40 years in the past—io9 received an opportunity to speak to a few of its stars, together with the returning Catherine O’Hara (who performs Delia Deetz) and newcomer Jenna Ortega (who performs Astrid, the daughter of Winona Ryder’s Lydia Deetz). From this chat, it’s obvious there’s one large cause behind the movie’s spooky magic: and his identify is Tim Burton.

“He’s one of the best, [most] fun-loving, form, collaborative, inventive, wildly ingenious, authentic director wherever,” O’Hara advised io9. She additionally mentioned that whereas she was initially apprehensive, questioning how a follow-up to Beetlejuice may ever work, Burton set her thoughts comfortable. “The extra I heard from Tim about what he needed to do, I used to be like, ‘Okay, it’s going to be good.’”

Ortega, who labored with Burton on Netflix hit Wednesday earlier than being solid as Astrid, agreed. “I don’t know why, however in my profession to date, I’ve had the behavior of becoming a member of issues like franchises, reboots, or issues like that,” she mentioned; along with enjoying the title character within the Addams Household spin-off, she additionally starred in two Scream movies. “So it’s at all times that stress of not desirous to be the disrupter since you’re new to the world. Followers have an expectation and then you definately’ve received to return in and act such as you had been at all times going to be part of it, or one thing like that. So it’s identical to a bizarre place to be. However it was good as a result of I used to be surrounded by so many people who find themselves so sensible at what they do, that I feel it took among the stress off of me as a result of, properly, take a look at them, you recognize. However I needed to be sure that I did it proper and was respectful of what got here earlier than me and what was taking place now.”

Requested in regards to the quantity of improv that went into Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Ortega mentioned there was a specific amount of spontaneity in its making. “[Burton] type of does it too; once you work with him, there’s not even a shot record. He simply type of figures out what he desires to do on the day relying on the scene. Possibly the sunshine’s coming by means of a sure method. He has sure issues that, like, he’ll draw a sketch and he is aware of he desires to see that picture. He is aware of he desires that angle,” she clarified. “However in relation to protection and issues like that, he simply type of feels it out. And he trusts and is aware of what he’s received, and what he hasn’t received but. He has a spontaneous high quality about him as properly. Day by day on Wednesday, it’s like, ‘Okay. Properly, I don’t know. We type of did that the opposite day. Ought to we do one thing [different today]?’”

O’Hara had the same take. “I really feel like in [Beetlejuice Beetlejuice] he knew what he needed it to appear like. He knew what he needed to have occur in each scene. However he was at all times open to what felt best for you, in your character. He’d say, ‘We may do that, however you don’t should, however I’m pondering…’ And also you go, ‘Yeah, that is sensible! However what if I…?’ ‘Oh that is sensible!’ And we’d go along with that. It was simply so open and assured. Such assured collaboration. It’s one of the best ways to work.”

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice—which additionally stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, and Justin Theroux—opens September 6.

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