The 81st Venice Film Festival kicks off in Hollywood style with the world premiere of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” on Wednesday. The highly anticipated sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 horror-comedy features a star-studded cast, including Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, Catherine O’Hara, and Monica Bellucci, who are expected to dazzle on the red carpet.
The film brings the Deetz family back to their country home following the death of Charles. Winona Ryder’s character, Lydia, now has a “surly” teenage daughter named Astrid, played by Jenna Ortega, the breakout star of Netflix’s “Wednesday.” Much like her mother did years ago, Astrid stumbles upon the mysterious model city in the attic, unleashing Keaton’s mischievous ghoul once more.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” a Warner Bros. release, is premiering out of competition and will hit theaters worldwide next week. This premiere marks the beginning of a bustling 10 days on the Lido, the Venetian barrier island that has hosted the festival since 1932.
Later in the week, George Clooney and Brad Pitt will make appearances for the out-of-competition premiere of “Wolfs,” while the festival will close on September 7 with Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 2” before the awards are announced.
Films competing for the prestigious Golden Lion include Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie à Deux,” starring Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix; Pablo Larraín’s Maria Callas biopic “Maria,” featuring Angelina Jolie; the erotic thriller “Babygirl,” with Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson, directed by Halina Reijn; Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ “Queer,” starring Daniel Craig; and Pedro Almodóvar’s first English-language film, “The Room Next Door,” starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton.
