Beetlejuice 2: Michael Keaton's Legendary Costume Returns in Epic Fashion After 35 Years!

Summary

Costume designer confirms Michael Keaton's iconic striped suit will be featured in Beetlejuice 2, despite Keaton preferring a different look.

Production on Beetlejuice 2 has been halted due to the current strike, however, the iconic striped suit continues to be recognized as the quintessential Beetlejuice attire. The forthcoming sequel will bring back Keaton's beloved character as well as older versions of Lydia and Delia Deetz, in addition to introducing new characters.

Costume designer Colleen Atwood confirms that Beetlejuice 2 will feature the return of Michael Keaton's iconic striped suit. The sequel will also see the return of Winona Ryder as an older Lydia Deetz, alongside Catherine O'Hara as Delia Deetz. Additionally, new characters will be introduced, played by Jenna Ortega, Willem Defoe, Justin Theroux, and Monica Bellucci. Despite the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, Atwood revealed that Keaton's striped suit was a priority for the film. However, Keaton suggested the character's tattered burgundy tuxedo for a different recognizable appearance.

Why Betelgeuse's Black-and-White Suit Is His Most Important Look To Tim Burton And The Wider Beetlejuice Franchise

Having a striped suit is a must for Beetlejuice. It's as essential as a blue dress for Alice in Wonderland. The duration of wearing it may vary, but Beetlejuice wouldn't be Beetlejuice without it. Interestingly, Michael believes that the quintessential Beetlejuice is a burgundy tuxedo instead of the striped suit," she chuckled. "However, the rest of the world disagrees with him, making it quite amusing."

While Betelgeuse's burgundy suit in Beetlejuice is certainly memorable, it is his striped suit that holds greater significance for both the film and its creator. This iconic ensemble is seen throughout Betelgeuse's haunting scenes with the Deetz family and their guests, and the stripes also make an appearance on the sandworm. The recurring use of this stripe visual motif in Beetlejuice and Tim Burton's broader filmography can be traced back to his inspiration from the German Expressionism movement, where contrasting patterns and shapes were employed to create a sense of distortion and unease, captivating the viewer's attention.

In addition to being strongly influenced by the director's own cinematic interests, the striped suit is also the most commonly seen outfit in Beetlejuice's marketing and wider merchandise. Keeton's character not only wore this outfit on the movie's posters and home release packaging, but it was also used in other releases such as the 1989 animated spin-off and the LEGO Dimensions video game DLC inspired by the show. Even the 2019 Beetlejuice Broadway musical adaptation featured this outfit with some modifications, such as a tattered coat, to distinguish it from the original source material and make it more recognizable as Betelgeuse's signature look.

While it is unquestionable that the black-and-white suit would make an appearance in Beetlejuice 2 in some form due to its enduring popularity, Atwood's response emphasizes the importance of featuring the outfit in the production. Given its strong ties to Burton's style and its widespread usage, it is difficult to imagine the character not wearing something related to it in the sequel. With approximately 35 years between the original and the sequel, it raises the question of whether the costume could undergo some reinventions.

Source: ComicBook.com