Scriptwriter of 'Beetlejuice' sequel confirms Michael Keaton's involvement

Seth Grahame-Smith, who has been hired by Warner Brothers and Tim Burton to pen a sequel to Burton's 1988 fantasy comedy 'Beetlejuice', has revealed that Michael Keaton is onboard and desperate to see it made as soon as possible.

Grahame-Smith was speaking to Shock about the eagerly anticipated reunion between director Tim Burton and star Michael Keaton. The duo also made 'Batman' and 'Batman Returns' together to great acclaim.

The writer said: "I met with Michael last week and his excitement level is huge. We talked for a couple of hours about big-picture stuff. He's been wanting to do it for twenty years and he'll talk to anybody about it who will listen!"

In what was arguably his greatest role, Keaton played the titular character, a foul-mouthed "bio-exorcist" hired by a recently deceased couple (Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis) to rid smarmy new owners out of their dream house.

The film's original screenwriters Michael McDowell and Warren Skaaren both passed away in the 1990s.

Grahame-Smith says that despite years of delays, this new project is definitely a go: "It's a priority for Warners and it's a priority for Tim.

"I have a huge reverence for Tim and a huge reverence for that film in general," he promises. "I don't think we should do it if we shit on the legacy. Michael agrees. So, right now, it remains to be seen. I have a couple of story ideas, but we're very early out."

Before that Grahame-Smith has also written 'Dark Shadows' for Tim Burton which is out in the UK in May. He also his forthcoming adaptation of his own novel 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter' added to his kooky, rapidly expanding CV.

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