After more than 35 years Beetlejuice arrived at Horror comedy left an indelible mark on visual and pop culture, Beetlejuice BeetlejuiceThe long awaited sequel Tim Burton’s The haunting cult classic, is slated to hit theaters on September 6. This time, the story follows the now middle-aged Lydia Dietz (Winona Ryder) when she returns to Winter River following an unexpected family tragedy—only to find herself once again struggling with tricks and torture. Michael Keaton’s The titular evil.
Lydia is accompanied by her eccentric stepmother, Delia (Catherine O’Hara); The angry teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega); and shifty, ponytail-sporting boyfriend, Rory (Justin Theroux), who also manages Lydia’s career as the host of her own paranormal reality TV series, Ghost House with Lydia Dietz.
Theroux is a new addition to the world, with Ryder, Keaton and O’Hara reprising their roles from the first movie. Beetlejuice who grew up avid fans of the original and Burton’s entire body of work. So when the filmmaker approached him about a possible part in the sequel, Theroux was “eager” to learn more. “I was a little apprehensive that there might not be a reason for a second Beetlejuice” he says. “But when I read the script, I was very impressed with the story around it.”
TIME spoke with Theroux about this Beetlejuice BeetlejuiceHis roles in cult classics and an enduring love for them remaining.
Time: It has been more than 35 years Beetlejuice was released. Were you a fan of the original movie when it came out?
Theroux: I was absolutely a fan. It came out at a time when I didn’t know what a studio movie was versus an independent movie. But it definitely felt very independent and it was just mine. I liked it.
Tim Burton is known as Hollywood’s resident master of the macabre. What did you think of his process as a filmmaker?
I don’t see him as a master of the macabre. I see him as a true creative. We are blessed with very few directors whose films are as singular and as visionary and where there is very little distance between their mind and the screen. [Federico] Fellini is one. And [David] Lynch. I think Tim falls into that category. We are fortunate enough that the system has allowed him to have that outlet and create his own style. It really makes it [all of his movies] Looks like independent films. It leaves a very thick, warm bubble over the cast and day job. It’s also incredibly energetic, like water sloshing around in a hot pan. He rarely puts his butt down on his director’s chair.
Except BeetlejuiceDo you have a favorite Tim Burton movie?
I like almost all his movies, but one is my favorite Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. His first film. I had never seen anything like it before.
You star as the iconic Lydia Dietz opposite Winona Ryder. What was it like seeing her bring such a beloved character to life?
was her character in [Beetlejuice] That’s what I gravitate towards the most. She was about the same age when she made it, when I tore the ticket for her. And it was the first time I saw reflected on the screen that I now know what every teenager feels, which is this kind of misguided sadness or sadness. So it was really fun to see her on the first day of our hair and makeup tests with those cat claw bangs and updated black dress. It was like, oh, I’ll imagine that 35 years from now.
You play Rory, a smart con artist-type who is dating Lydia. How did you land this role?
It’s really fun to play shallow and dim and not too bright. And then Tim and I had these long discussions about how we wanted it [Rory and Lydia] Sounds believable as a couple, but it’s this incredibly overgrown toenail of a co-dependent relationship.
The cast is full of veterans. What was your favorite moment on set?
All the days on set were really fun. We were really all laughing and laughing a lot. But it’s different from pinch-me moments. There was one day where we were all working on the finale and they had a little holding area for us. I looked at the actors’ chairs in this sort of semicircle so you could see all the names: Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega. That scene was one of those pinch-me moments where I was like, “Oh my God.”
You’re definitely flexing your comedy muscles Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. What appeals to you about comedy versus more dramatic roles?
With comedy, everything is lighter on its feet. This is the difference between playing tackle football and Nerf darts. When you do a drama, a lot is quiet on the sets! And the days seem a little longer, while the time seems to fly by with the comedy. Especially when you’re working with such funny people. with Catherine [O’Hara]For example, I wanted to go to work on days when I wasn’t working. And I did several times to see what she would do. It’s amazing to watch her spark and ping-pong around.
Considering your roles in films like Romy and Michelle High School Reunion And American PsychoThis isn’t your first rodeo with a cult classic. What does it mean to you to be a part of so many projects that fans feel such a strong connection to?
Nothing is a cult classic after years. No one goes out of their way to create a cult classic. I feel really lucky to have worked with such good actors and directors to make two such films. Movies I love are like finding old vinyl in a record store. The ones you think you discovered on your own or found years after they came out. So I have a few films in my pocket that other people find very enjoyable.
You are also the screenwriter of a number of hit films. How do you decide where to focus your energy when it comes to acting versus writing, etc.?
When you’re trying to write something, follow it, sell it, make it, get it into post-production and get it out, it’s a two-year or more process. Acting is kind of a quick hit. You can dive in for three weeks or six months. I haven’t written in a few years, but now I’m writing a little more. So I’m putting my toe back in that water and hopefully creating a few scripts that will be in the pipeline soon.
remaining Consistently appears on lists of the best TV shows of all time. Why do you think the story resonates so deeply?
At the end of the day, that series was about something we all experience in our lives, which is suffering and death. And he did such a beautiful job of gently wrapping his arms around that subject. Movies and TV shows deal with difficult topics all the time, but they have a supernatural premise [The Leftovers] opens with something that was not fully explored in its three seasons. He quickly gets away with it. Add to that the writing, direction and cast were all incredibly good. I think that’s why it endures.
Sex and the City is enjoying a cultural revival thanks to its arrival on Netflix. Besides featuring Carrie as two different love interests, were you a fan of the show when it originally aired?
At that point in my career, I was just trying to get a job and I didn’t think I could even afford HBO. So I wasn’t a fan, but strictly for financial reasons. I knew, of course, that it was tapping into the zeitgeist as it came out just by looking at it on the cover of every magazine. I thoroughly enjoyed doing that show. And I love that he continues this life. It’s a cult classic and a show that keeps on revealing itself.
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