JENNA Ortega has been compared to another A-list Hollywood star after fans got a look at her in the Beetlejuice 2 trailer.
The long-awaited sequel to the 1988 cult classic will be released in theaters later this year, starring Jenna, 21, as Astrid Deetz.
6
6
Jenna plays the daughter of Lydia Deetz, who was originated by Winona Ryder, 52.
After a new trailer for the Beetlejuice sequel was released earlier this week, fans gave their thoughts on the young star’s latest character.
Screengrabs from the teaser were shared on X, formerly Twitter, showing moments of Jenna’s character riding a bike and standing in a cemetery.
One compared the Emmy-nominated star to another highly successful actress, calling her “the new Angelina Jolie.”
Read More on Jenna Ortega
Others chimed in with excitement over Jenna’s new role.
“Wow, she looks stunning,” a second wrote.
A third called Jenna the “actress of our generation.”
“She’s a living legend already I love her,” a fourth wrote.
“Jenna was the perfect cast for this,” another replied.
Jenna’s new role in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice follows her previous nomination for her lead role in Netflix’s comedy Wednesday.
DETAILS ON BEETLEJUICE 2
Jenna confirmed she had been cast in the Beetlejuice sequel in late February, just one month prior to the trailer’s release.
The new Tim Burton-directed and Brad Pitt-produced film is slated to hit cinemas in late 2024, starring Michael Keaton in his famed role as Beetlejuice.
Winona will also be back to reprise her role as Lydia alongside Michael.
Winona’s stage mother, Catherine O’Hara, will also return to play the role of artist Delia Deetz.
SWITCHING FOCUS
Director Tim said he wasn’t initially planning on making a sequel, but he kept brainstorming ideas for it over the years.
“We talked about lots of different things,” he told Entertainment Weekly.
“That was early on when we were going, Beetlejuice and the Haunted Mansion, Beetlejuice Goes West, whatever. Lots of things came up.”
The plot finally came together when he thought of making Lydia’s character, her daughter (Jenna’s character), and her stepmother, the center of the story.
“I so identified with the Lydia character, but then you get to all these years later, and you take your own journey, going from cool teenager to lame adult, back and forth again,” he explained.
“That made it emotional, gave it a foundation. So that was the thing that really truly got me into it.”
AN INSIDE LOOK
In an interview with Vanity Fair last month, Jenna said her character in the new film may be different than fans will expect.
“She’s weird, but in a different way and not in the way you’d assume, I would say. The relationship between Lydia and Astrid, my character, is very important,” the 21-year-old said.
“And it’s also really strange because it’s a lot of catching up and putting the pieces together of what’s gone on in Lydia’s life since, which is nice, I think, for anybody who loves the character and is excited to see her again.”
Jenna elaborated on the character, saying she isn’t “bright and sunny at all.”
“She doesn’t go to the opposite end of the spectrum, but any kid who becomes a teenager wants to be removed from their parents,” Jenna explained.
“I think they instantly just fight whatever it is that their parent loves.
“So I think it’s a little bit of that. I’m not wearing pink and a cheerleader, but I am a little bit against my mom’s history or past. We butt heads quite a bit.”
6
6
6