There is a lot of speculation regarding Johnny Depp's possible involvement in Tim Burton's Beetlejuice 2 — and like everything else with his career, a Beetlejuice 2 Johnny Deppe appearance is at the same time both highly unlikely and entirely possible. Burton's second movie, 1988 horror-comedy Beetlejuice, remains beloved, and was his last film before his now-famous partnership with Johnny Depp began in 1990 with Edward Scissorhands. Beetlejuice 2 entered development in earnest in 2023 after years of rumors. One persistent Beetlejuice 2 rumor that's persisted for years in various forms is that Johnny Depp has been cast in the Beetlejuice sequel.

With the 2023 news that the followup to Beetlejuice was finally in development, the Johnny Depp Beetlejuice 2 casting rumors resurfaced, now interwoven with the ongoing saga surrounding his widely publicized court trial with Amber Heard. Beetlejuice 2's past is checkered with numerous attempts to resurrect the "ghost with the most" for the big screen. It's taken several attempts for the Beetlejuice sequel now expected in 2024 to materialize. Johnny Depp wasn't in the original Beetlejuice, and had Beetlejuice 2 arrived during the height of his partnership with Tim Burton — who is returning to direct — it's a safe bet he would have been cast. This isn't the case in 2023, so here's how much truth there is to the Johnny Depp Beetlejuice 2 rumors.

Johnny Depp Hasn't Been Confirmed For Beetlejuice 2

Tim Burton and Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in Sweeney Todd

At the moment, there is no confirmation that Johnny Depp will appear in Beetlejuice 2. The cast for the Beetlejuice sequel has started to leak since the movie went into production, and there are a lot of names on board to join Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder. However, Johnny Depp's name has not come up in the conversation — at least not publicly. While Beetlejuice 2 certainly fits Tim Burton's wheelhouse of gothic horror, he doesn't seem to be bringing his two muses with him, as neither Depp nor Helena Bonham Carter has attached their names to the project.

However, one of Burton's new professional partners is joining, with Jenna Ortega signing on to play Lydia's (Ryder) daughter. Ortega stars in the Tim Burton Netflix series, Wednesday, and it looks like Burton might have replaced Depp as his go-to actor. While some fear Ortega might slip into a pattern of appearing in Burton projects, it is an interesting change for the filmmaker. Not only that but without Bonham-Carter signed onto the Beetlejuice 2 cast, Monica Bellucci has signed on for the project, making it look like Burton might be turning the page in his career. Bellucci will play Beetlejuice's wife, a role that Bonham-Carter could have slid into perfectly based on her past performances.

Why There Are Rumors Johnny Depp Is In Beetlejuice 2

Michael Keaton in Beetlejuice.

While it seems there's nothing to substantiate the Johnny Depp Beetlejuice 2 cast rumors beyond the fact he's worked a lot with Tim Burton, they're not entirely without cause. There have been many attempts to get Beetlejuice 2 off the ground, and while Johnny Depp hasn't been cast in the upcoming sequel to Beetlejuice, he had been associated with previous failed iterations of the project. There was a Beetlejuice 2 cast list (possibly auto-compiled) by Google in 2022 (via JoBlo) that showed Johnny Depp’s name listed alongside Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder, both of whom reprises their original roles for the Beetlejuice sequel.

There was never an official announcement that a Johnny Depp Beetlejuice 2 announcement was on the cards, but since there were more questions than answers about the Beetlejuice sequel the internet ran riot with the idea. Commentators on social media began to speculate about Depp's involvement with long-time collaborator Tim Burton, mostly thanks to their past. There were some incredibly professional seeming mock movie posters and fake trailers made too, which of course added fuel to the fire - all of which as resurface now that Beetlejuice 2 is confirmed.

Nevertheless, other than the rumors with the Google cast sheet, there was never an actual reason to think Depp would be part of the movie. However, fans will always connect Depp and Burton, and their relationship has been long and fruitful. Depp is known to cameo in films, such as his small role in the 21 Jump Street film and in Kevin Smith's Tusk - meaning a Beetlejuice 2 appearance cannot be ruled out given Depp's and Burton's successful history together. As someone who isn't shy to put on prosthetics and hide his appearance, the possibilities for Depp's role in Beetlejuice 2 are endless, especially when the film takes place in the Netherworld.

At the moment, the only main cast members returning are Ryder, Keaton, and Catherine O'Hara, who plays Lydia's mother. Alec Baldwin's name is not included in the cast announcement. Other than Ortega and Bellucci, the only other two new stars so far confirmed for Beetlejuice 2 are Justin Theroux and Willem Dafoe. That said, there is always a chance Depp could pop up somewhere, especially if his recent attempt at a comeback bears fruit.

Johnny Depp's Latest Movie Makes A Beetlejuice 2 Appearance More Possible

Johnny Depp dressed in elegant clothing in Jeanne du Barry

Johnny Depp officially started his comeback with a movie that debuted to phenomenal critical acclaim at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. His latest movie, Jeanne du Barry, tells the story of Madame du Barry, the favored mistress of King Louis XV. The movie enjoyed its premiere at Cannes, and the audience gave the film a seven-minute standing ovation. Depp was in attendance for the movie and seemed on the verge of tears, as he waved to the crowd during the ovation.

If the reaction to the new Johnny Depp movie carries over to mainstream audiences and then Hollywood, it could open the door for Depp to make his way back into Hollywood's good graces. This could include a shot at Beetlejuice 2 — although at this point there's nothing to suggest it will. The reasons for this aren't just rooted in Depp's current reputation either. The Johnny Depp and Tim Burton movies weren't universally well received. 2012 vampire-themed family comedy Dark Shadows, for example, was a notable flop. Even before the Amber Heard trial, it was never a cut-and-dry case of studios opening their wallets at the prospect of another Depp-Burton partnership, as much as some may believe otherwise.

While their last collaboration together, Alice Through the Looking Glass, bombed at the box office, it can still be argued that Depp is at his best when working with Burton. Even if all their collaborations aren't as successful as Edward Scissorhands or Sweeney Todd, which marked Depp's third Best Actor Academy Award nomination, Burton understands Depp's acting style. While also considering Depp's Fantastic Beasts 2 box office failure, he is certainly due for a hit film. Even if he just has a small role in Beetlejuice 2, it could be a nice comeback story for the actor.