QUESTION: Fans have been waiting years for a sequel to the original film, which occupies a special place in popular culture. What occurred that made this the right time and how did it feel when you knew it was going to happen?
WINONA RYDER: I think we all knew the only way that it could work was if Tim was directing, and Michael and Catherine were available to do it. But every year or two, I’d see Tim and we’d get into a huddle, and we’d talk about it. And then, it was actually happening, and I remember being struck with terror. I had to ask myself: who is Lydia now? She’s had a child, it completely changed her life, but she still is Lydia. I think her daughter, Astrid [played by Jenna Ortega], has everything to do with who Lydia is now. We meet Lydia at this strange time in her life, where she’s a little bit on autopilot, a little bit lost… But then, everyone reunites and chaos ensues [laughs]. I thought the script was great, and we all felt very safe coming back. It was just a really beautiful experience in creative chaos, which is a wonderful place to be.
QUESTION: What was it like to return to the role of Lydia, now all grown-up and at an interesting point in her life?
WINONA RYDER: I’ve never returned to a role. I’ve done a series, but that’s very different. I mean, this is returning to something—I don’t even know how many years, I was 15 when I made it, so it’s a lifetime. There is an element of terror that I think we all had. And then once we started it, you find your rhythm. Tim is very specific, but he’s also really open and that’s what’s so beautiful about him. He can be incredibly detailed and remain so open to ideas or ways to play a scene. You actually do feel like you’re collaborating, which doesn’t always happen. But with Tim, there’s a magic, truly. I think his heart is in this and I could see how much he related to Lydia, which I found really moving.
QUESTION: And it seems Beetlejuice is still besotted with Lydia. What was it like, seeing Michael again, back as Beetlejuice?
WINONA RYDER: Seeing him for the first time in makeup again—I’ll never forget that moment. Filming with Michael in the attic, our first scene together, I was just like, “Whoa, where, what? Like, what year is this?” It was a trip—all of my scenes with him were incredible. It was one of the most special experiences I’ve ever had.
It’s going to sound strange, because he’s Beetlejuice and I’m Lydia, but I’ve never felt so safe with an actor before. He is everything you hope he would be. I think Michael’s a real genius. Plus, he is always looking out for you, and he’s always there for you. He will always have your back and make sure you’re comfortable, which is certainly not Beetlejuice, but that’s who Michael is. So, it’s remarkable that he can turn into this other guy. It’s kind of amazing. It’s really one of the best times I’ve ever had. Every moment on this, I really wanted to be present, because things like this don’t happen—it was so special.
QUESTION: Lydia now has a daughter, Astrid, who is the same age as Lydia was in the original film. What was it like working with Jenna Ortega and establishing that somewhat complex mother/daughter relationship with her?
WINONA RYDER: Jenna, I’m absolutely in love with her! She is such a magnificent presence and person, and she’s endlessly fascinating with a huge heart. Jenna coming on was a huge gift. What Jenna does, it’s remarkable, because she’s not Lydia. She really created her own very unique character. I see her very much as Lydia’s daughter—she has inherited a lot of stuff—but Jenna really created her own thing, which I really admired.
We first met at Tim’s house—“Wednesday” had just come out. I know what an overwhelming feeling it is to be in a show that suddenly takes off. So, I just gave her a big hug and I felt instantly maternal towards her. On my third day—that was the day we were shooting in the attic—we really started talking, and it was almost like once that door opened, it never closed. That was the day we locked into each other, on camera and off. I felt a lot like I was seeing a younger version of myself, only she’s a hundred times cooler.
QUESTION: What can audiences expect seeing Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice on the big screen?
WINONA RYDER: Well, their expectations are probably extremely high, but I feel very confident that it will match and exceed expectations. It certainly did mine, and mine are way up there. It’s a great time and it absolutely deserves to be seen on the big screen. And I literally think every generation can find something in it that they’ll really appreciate. It’s just brilliant for fans of Tim’s work, certainly. And I know, again, the expectations are high and mine were high. To have that feeling of reaching those and then delivering even more—it was a great feeling.