James Bond and Matrix star joins Jenna Ortega in Beetlejuice 2
James Bond and Matrix franchise star Monica Bellucci has joined Jenna Ortega in the cast of Beetlejuice 2.
The Italian actress has been cast in the sequel as "the Ghost with the Most" Beetlejuice's wife, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Michael Keaton is returning as the title character for director Tim Burton.
Bellucci joins an impressive cast that included a few other important cast members from the 1988 original — Stranger Things star Winona Ryder returns to Beetlejuice 2 as Lydia Deetz and Catherine O'Hara is back as Lydia's stepmum Delia.
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Wednesday star Jenna Ortega was recently confirmed to be re-teaming with Burton on the second Beetlejuice movie, in which she'll play Lydia's daughter.
Actor and filmmaker Justin Theroux — best known for Tropic Thunder and The Leftovers — will also be joining the movie in an undisclosed role.
Bellucci is one of the most acclaimed stars in Italy, and has had memorable English-language roles as Persephone in the Matrix series and also played Bond girl Lucia Sciarra in Spectre.
The actress has also appeared in notable films such as The Sorcerer's Apprentice, the controversial Irréversible, Brotherhood of the Wolf and recently starred opposite Liam Neeson in Memory.
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Brad Pitt's production company Plan B is producing the long-awaited sequel, and Marvel's Runaways writer Mike Vukadinovich has penned the script.
The original 1988 Beetlejuice has inspired numerous TV spinoffs and even a Broadway musical during the decades-long wait for the sequel.
Michael Keaton and Tim Burton were rumoured to be working on the sequel for the better part of a decade before it finally got off the ground in the last year.
Beetlejuice 2 will be released on September 6, 2024. Production is reportedly set to begin later this year with Burton back as director.
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