Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice is finally getting a sequel after a prolonged waiting period of 36 years. Despite the extended delay, fans are more excited than ever for the franchise’s second installment, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. One such enthusiast happens to be actress Winona Ryder, who is set to reprise her role as Lydia Deetz in the upcoming movie. In a recent discussion, the Stranger Things star conveyed her passion and love for the popular film series and revealed how Jenna Ortega’s casting in Beetlejuice 2 was fate.

Winona Ryder reveals how Jenna Ortega made Beetlejuice sequel possible

While showering praise on the 1988 movie, Winona Ryder also highlighted how fate enabled Jenna Ortega to star in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, ultimately making the project possible.

While talking to ComicBook, Ryder revealed she had held hopes for a sequel on multiple occasions in the past. “There were a lot of times when… you know, I had sort of gotten my hopes up,” she said. “I felt like it was sort of this kismet fate because I, I realized that we had to wait for Jenna to be born and grow up and be like the perfect because she really just fit,” she added.

Winona Ryder also lauded the team of Beetlejuice 2. The veteran thespian commended the additions of Ortega and others before labeling it a “dream cast.”

She further went on to explain how filming the much-awaited sequel was a dream come true for her. “Every moment of being there I was like very present. I made sure because I was, it’s like an absolute dream come true,” the 52-year-old actress exclaimed. “You just want to really be present for every single, literally every single moment,” Ryder added.

Alongside Jenna Ortega and Winona Ryder, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice also features Michael Keaton, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe, among others. The film is set to be released in theatres on September 6, 2024.