Key Takeaways:
1. Jenna Ortega co-stars in the upcoming Beetlejuice 2 alongside Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton.
2. Ortega shares fond memories of being haunted by the character of Beetlejuice in her dreams.
3. Her character in the sequel is Astrid Deetz, daughter of Lydia’s character portrayed by Winona Ryder.
4. The young actress found her first exposure to Beetlejuice from a horrifying Halloween costume.
Jenna Ortega’s Haunting Beetlejuice Memories
Already hailed as a rising star in Hollywood with successful appearances in the horror genre, Jenna Ortega has cemented her acting prowess. Having delivered stellar performances in films like The Babysitter: Killer Queen and Scream, Ortega’s role as Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s popular series Wednesday has made her a force to reckon with in the entertainment industry.
Now, she’s adding another chapter to her thriving horror filmography with Beetlejuice 2. Joining seasoned actors Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton, Ortega plays the role of Astrid Deetz, Lydia’s daughter in the film. The 21-year-old actress has consistently impressed audiences and critics, putting her in the same league as seasoned actors like Natalie Portman and Charlize Theron.
From Nightmare to Fame
During the movie’s promotional events, Ortega shared a fascinating personal experience that gives her role in the film an extra edge. In Warner Bros. Pictures’ teaser video, Ortega admitted that Beetlejuice, the iconic character from Tim Burton’s 1988 cult classic, made a regular appearance in her dreams as a child.
In a recent interview, she revealed her encounters with Beetlejuice saying, “I was scared of everything when I was younger. I would have recurring nightmares where Beetlejuice would show up and offer me grape juice.”
Experiencing Beetlejuice Before Understanding it
In another interview with the New York Times, Ortega confessed that before watching the original Beetlejuice movie, she was first introduced to the character through an off-putting Halloween costume. She still remembers the mold, and the smeared, oozing green and black Party City makeup that frightened her.
Unable to shake these images off even after watching the film, she shared, “I just remember that image, and then I watched the movie later, and I thought, Oh, man, this is what the guy was dressed as. This is just as scary.”
Ortega’s Nightmarish Beetlejuice Run-Ins
In her disclosure, Ortega shed light on a piece of her childhood. She shared tales of her sleeping arrangements, occupying the bottom of a bunk bed, and of how consistently Beetljuice would appear in her dreams.
She describes how the character would, decked out in a Superman cape, make his way down to her bunk, offering her grape juice and asking, “Got any grape?” The recurring nightmare which haunted her as a child eventually became a cherished memory.
The Irony of Beetlejuice in Ortega’s Life
In an exciting twist of fate, Jenna is now cementing her ties with the very franchise that gave her nightmares as a child. Her upcoming project, Beetlejuice 2, will hit theaters nationwide on September 6.
In an industry known for its ruthlessness, Jenna Ortega’s unexpected journey, from her first frightful exposure to Beetlejuice to her crucial role in the film’s sequel, adds a touch of poetic justice that is sure to leave audiences and movie enthusiasts intrigued and eager for the film’s release.
