Beetlejuice 2 just added Willem Dafoe to its ever-growing cast. The film, which sees Tim Burton helming a follow-up to his original 1988 outing Beetlejuice, is set to premiere in theaters on September 6, 2024. The film features returning cast members Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice, Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz, and Catherine O'Hara as Lydia's mother Delia alongside newcomers Jenna Ortega as Lydia's daughter and Justin Theroux in an undisclosed role.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, it's now been announced that Willem Dafoe would be joining the Beetlejuice 2 cast. Although not much has been divulged about his character, it has been revealed that he will play an afterlife law enforcement officer. This news comes just one day after it was announced that Monica Bellucci was in talks to play Beetlejuice's wife, so the afterlife cast is coming together quickly.

Why Willem Dafoe Will Be Perfect for Beetlejuice

Willem Dafoe in Poor Things

Being a part of the Beetlejuice 2 cast will require a lot. If the film follows the model of the original, it will inhabit a middle-ground between over-the-top comedy and gothic horror that requires a precise balance of tones to execute. Luckily, Dafoe is a perfect fit for everything the film is asking.

After his role as the Green Goblin in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy, Dafoe has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he has the ability to mesh perfectly with a stylized genre piece. If he is called upon to lean more horrifying, he can harness the skills he polished in such films as Shadow of the Vampire, Antichrist, and especially Death Note. He's also proven his comedy chops in a plethora of Wes Anderson films including The Grand Budapest Hotel, The French Dispatch, and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.

It is currently unknown if Dafoe's Beetlejuice 2 role will be more intimidating or wacky. However, either way they choose to maneuver the character, he could accomplish one, the other, or both. If his casting means that the film nearly has its full ensemble complete, more details on every new character could be coming soon.

Source: THR