Beetlejuice 3? Writers Say Tim Burton Holds the Key

If you assumed Beetlejuice's story had reached its final curtain call, the creators behind the recent sequel have a different rumor to share. The writers of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice say a third film remains on the table — but only if Tim Burton gives it his blessing.

Al Gough and Miles Millar, who spoke with ScreenRant around the anniversary of Smallville, were careful and candid. They didn’t promise a trilogy; they left the door ajar. “You can never rule anything out completely,” one of them said, pointing straight at the man who has always shaped this world: Tim Burton. Short answer? It isn’t their call.

Ultimately, Burton’s choice will likely be the deciding factor for Beetlejuice 3.

There’s another layer to the conversation that complicates any quick return: the recent passing of Catherine O’Hara, whose performance as Delia Deetz has been a touchstone for fans. Gough and Millar admitted that moving forward without her would be emotionally and creatively more difficult. It’s not just casting logistics; it’s the emotional center of the story that would shift.

Think of Beetlejuice as a strange house with many rooms. The original 1988 film opened the door — a gothic comedy stitched with eccentric characters — and since then the franchise has wandered in interesting directions: a four-season animated show, a Tony-nominated Broadway musical, and most recently a 2024 sequel that reunited a hefty ensemble. Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Monica Bellucci, Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Danny DeVito and Willem Dafoe all helped remind audiences why this oddball world still resonates.

The 2024 sequel, titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, proved the brand still sells. It hauled in more than $451 million worldwide and landed a solid 76% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics and a new generation of viewers seemed willing to embrace Burton’s fresh spins on the ghostly mischief-maker.

Does commercial momentum guarantee another chapter? Not necessarily. Burton has said in the past that he doesn’t currently have concrete plans for a third installment, though Warner Bros. has reportedly explored options. And several cast members — including Jenna Ortega — have expressed willingness to return if Burton climbs back into the director’s chair.

So what would a Beetlejuice 3 even look like? It could lean into the macabre humor fans expect, or it might become a more reflective, character-driven piece after the loss of a beloved cast member. Either way, the conversation now sits between studio interest, public appetite, and one director’s singular vision.

Fans can hope. Studios can plan. But when it comes to Beetlejuice, the final green light remains a peculiar blend of art, sentiment and the one-of-a-kind sensibility Tim Burton brings to the table. Will he decide the afterlife of Beetlejuice? We’ll find out — and until then, the waiting feels fittingly strange.