The actor returns to his iconic role and reunites with director Tim Burton for the upcoming sequel, due out Sept. 6.
Say his name twice -- but not three times! Beetlejuice is returning in a long-awaited upcoming sequel, which reunites star Michael Keaton and director Tim Burton for a follow-up to the 1988 cult classic.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice -- set for theatrical release on Sept. 6 -- returns to the afterlife to continue the story of Keaton's titular "bio-exorcist," and when the actor sat down with ET's Cassie DiLaura to discuss his upcoming film, Knox Goes Away, he shared a little bit about finally making the long-awaited sequel.
"It took a while to get there," he admitted. "I didn't really think we were gonna do it and didn't want to do it, various times [in the] last few years, but it was more fun than the other one."
Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara return for the sequel, with Jenna Ortega -- who worked with Burton on Wednesday -- joining the cast as the daughter of Ryder's character, Lydia Deetz.
For Keaton, returning to Beetlejuice's world with a "tremendous cast" was "really fun."
"[Tim] was really, really great -- back in his comfort zone," he added. "I could tell he was having fun. Which is really contagious, when you're around that."
Keaton returns to the director's chair himself for Knox Goes Away, his first time behind the camera since 2009's The Merry Gentleman. He also plays the titular hitman, who struggles to help his estranged son (James Marsden) after being diagnosed with a rare form of dementia.
The noir-inspired film features a host of Keaton's famous friends, including Marcia Gay Harden and Al Pacino as Knox's mentor.
"I know it sounds arrogant or stupid on my part," Keaton said of casting the Hollywood legend, "but you have to think about all the details. So when I run through the scene in my head and say, 'What am I, nuts?' Of course. You know, this is going to work."
"I knew him a little bit, and I called him and we had a nice chat," he continued. "He was just easy to work with, as you can imagine, and flexible, and always shows up with ideas."
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is set to creep into theaters on Sept. 6. Knox Goes Away is in theaters March 15.
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