Michael Keaton on Reviving Beetlejuice After 36 Years and What Convinced Him to Revisit the Film

Michael Keaton talks about returning as Beetlejuice after 36 years, how he came up with all of the different character attributes when he and Tim Burton were working on the idea and what convinced him to come back for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
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Michael Keaton on Reviving Beetlejuice After 36 Years and What Convinced Him to Revisit the Film - Late Night with Seth Meyers
• Michael Keaton on Revi...
Late Night with Seth Meyers
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[@kinsmed]

Just let Michael Keaton do anything he wants. We'll all be glad he did.

[@clifftanton8385]

Saw Knox First Away he was awesome Al Pacino great also James Marsden great as his son watched it four times

[@clifftanton8385]

Sorry Knox goes away

[@colindavid2078]

Agreed! Keaton is GREAT in anything he does! Always will be the best Batman ever for one!

[@JoshuaFante]

Won't say this about too many Hollywood types but yea Keaton seems like good dude over all, he's got the sweet gpa thing going on now lol... Not a huge fan myself but I recognize a good soul

[@NukeMarine]

Loved this interview. Over 35 years and I still cannot see Michael Keeton in Beetlejuice, I just see Beetlejuice. Loved hearing how he basically workshopped in his head what became the iconic look of the character.

[@edwardmclaughlin719]

and feel

[@peachesthesordid8619]

Beetlejuice is one of my all-time favorite characters. It's been my favorite for 35 years.

[@NITE_SHIFTING]

Michael Keaton ruled the 1980's. Big part of my childhood for sure. Saw BEETLEJUICE in theaters and saw MR. MOM on HBO a million times. BATMAN in theaters as well. 👍

[@Aikidragon_Prime]

Johnny Dangerously, Gung Ho and Night Shift are pretty funny, from the 80's also.

[@NITE_SHIFTING]

@@Aikidragon_Prime Agree. The Dream Team was kinda funny too.

[@ZOSO53]

Loved Gung Ho! "Safety glass."😂

[@marcdraco2189]

But who else remembers when people screamed "MIchael Keaton as Batman?" NOOOOOO... And (to me) he wasn't bettered until Bale and co. But he was well 'ard as we say where I come from.

[@JK_Clark]

@@marcdraco2189 Eastender?

[@kkupsky6321]

This man pulled over and helped my cousin change his tyre back right after he was Batman. Dude is the coolest mfer and I had like three different 🪲 🧃 action figures. He’s responsible for my voice. Many people don’t realise how awesome the birdman cymbal is and what expectations come with this film… geez he’s great.

[@LindaC616]

Uh huh...."tyre"... is your cousin British too?

[@kkupsky6321]

@@LindaC616 yea. He was an Englishman named Barnaby. Spot on. He may have dual citizenship now. He’s still Barnaby.

[@wildcathawkins]

Awesome. Ty for sharing this story

[@darklordbazz]

He also is the "founder" of mcdonalds

[@notsure1969]

Tyre

[@CatJabZ]

Keaton is a BOSS! Loved him since Night Shift! What a career!

[@usedfuzzbox]

Yeah, same was a fan of his before Batman and Beetlejuice, but of course became a massive fan after those movies.

[@kevinburke6055]

Loved him since Mr Mom.

[@pikapika4240]

I can't believe this guy is 70. Looking amazing and sounding sharp as ever.

[@dragonweyr44]

I can't help but think that we'll have to wait ANOTHER 36 years for Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice. Also starring Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder

[@AC3handle]

It should be fairly accurate, because I think by then, they''ll be legitimately dead.

[@mikeuscila9255]

My God they all be dead lol 😂😮😅😊

[@chuckwagon7354]

The real reason he revived Beetlejuice to earn money so he could afford some socks! Many years ago there was a scheme where Primary School children in NI would be selected at random to stay with a family in American. A classmate of a friend of mine got selected to stay with - Michael Keaton! Years later Michael was invited to this guy's wedding and he actually turned up. In Belfast!

[@GailMidgley]

I met him in LA with my children - he talked to my little girl about reading books - we were all enchanted

[@paulgeary6511]

THAT'S SOOOOO KOOL❣️❣️❣️😳🤯😱 💀☠️💀🖤🤍💜💚

[@chriscripplercruz1833]

Now that's amazing

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

The fact that Michael Keaton has said he was nervous about disappointing everyone shows why it took so long to make a sequel. Both Tim Burton and Michael Burton agreed they would never do a sequel if the script was not right. After three failed attempts to get their approval over the decades, the creators and writers of Smallville on the WB/CW - Alfred Gough and Miles Millar - came forward with a script that worked for both of them, so this movie was made. Note Michael Keaton has said in another interview the original script was good, but he had to improvise a lot to make it funnier/campier. This time, the writing was so good he said although he still did improvise, it was a lot less. Note, almost made but never made was Beatlejuice Goes Hawaiian in 1990 with a script available online (Burton was too busy as was Keaton making Batman movies)..

[@Eudaimaniac44]

Beatlejuice is what sprayed on Yoko on 12/8/80

[@krisfrederick5001]

Beetlejuice and Batman are two of my favorite films of all time, I had no idea as a kid they were the same person and directed by Tim Burton!

[@marcdraco2189]

Mike looks as good as he did 36 years ago. B'stard! ;)

[@elliotbrent]

😂🤣😂🤣

[@talknerdy2me926]

It happens when your unproblematic 😝 He’s just super cool

[@ElroyMcDuff]

😝

[@babycakes1402]

Ok, Michael Keaton is the only reason I saw the first one & I LOVED IT, so now I CAN'T WAIT to see the sequel!

[@thecarbonprop]

So happy they had an opportunity for a follow up movie. The whole cast is amazing.

[@chriscripplercruz1833]

2:38 You wanna go nuts??? Let's go nuts!!

[@IanAlcorn]

Exactly what went through my mind at that moment.

[@chrlpolk]

I was like, Cmon audience, nobody??!!

[@spacecentergames]

Practical effects, real actors, true passion 🔥

[@delsi1204]

This couldn't come up at a better time, where we desperately need to laugh and forget for a couple of hours our stressful lives. I can not wait! ❤❤

[@elliotbrent]

And in life!🤣😂🤣😂

[@msjennifer6119]

Props to both of them for not mentioning the other person who called himself “The Juice” 😅

[@ottosixtysix8546]

So great to see Keaton as BeetleJuice again. Should be fun.

[@TrekCannon]

36 years! 😮

[@mismissy]

Yes 😑

[@laurencebarnes1322]

Michael Keaton would be amazing as Bird Bane

[@francescaa8331]

He would!

[@Glenbard4]

Seth you have to are this happen!

[@JunkratJoules]

Between Batman, BirdMan and the Vulture, Keaton is the king of aviary based heroes/villains. Is the flop that was The Flash one of the reason behind bringing back Beetlejuice?

[@theunknowncommenter725]

​@@JunkratJoules I don't think so. The flash was in the can for years before Beetlejuice 2 was ever filmed.

[@jasonvaden9506]

bettlejuice the character in and of itself is genius and Michael brought it to life , or dead, hands down my favorite performance, so excited for the sequel

[@wendymeuret1158]

We had the delight of being last second unexpected extras in the movie SPEECHLESS-Michael Keaton and Geena Davis 1994 Ghost Ranch near Taos NM-we were with the hot air balloon company doing the background about half way through the movie. Between takes and the 2 days we were there, encounters with Keaton, Davis and even Christopher Reeve-were phenomenal. They are all soooooo nice. Said Hi and smiled at us more than a few times. (Oh-in the movie-I’m the curly haired mom holding the baby boy that gets kissed by the evil politician at the ‘balloon fiesta’. What a grand experience.

[@maryallan3982]

I introduced my 22yo son to 'Mr. Mom' recently and will show him 'Night Shift' this weekend - that's how long I've loved Michael Keaton!

[@carolmorris2705]

Me too! Mr. Mom is a freaking classic. I’m 74 and still reference the dialogue. 👍🏻😂👍🏻

[@RealBLAlley]

Referencing Mr. Mom became a staple among electricians. "220, 221, whatever it takes." The best part is that they used the correct number to start the joke.

[@BHallBrowser]

I should watch Night Shift again. Had a girlfriend in the 80s that introduced me to it and it really was good.

[@lppuzio]

Also The Dream Team. A Classic

[@usedfuzzbox]

'Night Shift', criminally under rated imho, stumbled upon it on late night TV, and loved it.

[@patriciapatriciagray-thorp9574]

MK can rock the sockless look🎉🎉🎉and he has aged so well🎉🎉🎉 4:12

[@thepadonthepondbythescum]

The guy's a stud! Still abiding.

[@jaylu7021]

Mr. Mom was one of my favorite movies growing up. He will always be my favorite Batman as well.

[@bubblesezblonde]

AAAAnd you did not disappoint. I may even watch it again.

[@DuelScreen]

Michael Keaton is the Batman I grew up with and I believe the best actor to have ever played the role. The reason is psychology: In the Batman mythos, Bruce Wayne is the mask. Batman is the real personality. Keaton played Bruce Wayne that way. Additionally, this is simply not normal. The Joker in some instance mentions this, that Batman is just as messed up as he is, that Batman belongs in Arkham Asylum too. Which Batman actor has also played villain roles? Only Keaton comes to mind as both Beetlejuice and The Vulture. Keaton is an actor's actor. He can do it all and he is simply the best at what he does.

[@anywaythewindblows8938]

He doesn’t look 73 at all! He also seems like the coolest and most laid back guy who you’d just wanna have a beer with and talk about whatever.

[@joshuaphillips755]

Keaton is one of the few actors/people I still got on a pedestal.

[@AnalogOcean]

i grew up with mr.mom,and gung ho, then went to beetlejuice and batman...this guy was my childhood!

[@paulpolpiboon9535]

Johnny Dangerously, Beetlejuice, BATMAN, and now Knox! "Knox goes away" was a simple yet a powerful trip. His talent is so endless, started his career as a comedian no less! My fave film of his is by far Gung Ho

[@SueBeka]

I'm sad that Seth didn't do his Michael Keaton impression in front of Michael Keaton 😢

[@NewMessage]

Takin' back 'The Juice'! Take that, O.J.!

[@lenoreleitch5297]

First time in a long time I’ve looked forward to going to an actual movie theatre!

[@lindashaskas5080]

It's hard to believe it's been 36 years ago. Mike probably was very young at that time. Hope he makes more movies like this too. He looks good for his age now also. It was good seeing him again on the Seth Myers late show last night too. Stay safe Michael Keaton. 🌻🙂

[@Nastynati0513]

He is the best Batman, there is no debate. Nolan did a fantastic job with the dark knight series but something about Tim Burtons 2 Batman movies that just struck home with me. If only we could have seen Keaton's Batman and Ledger's Joker interact.

[@kaycee310toysandcollectibl9]

Damn michael Keaton killed it in his roles as beetle juice and Batman. What a special moment to be able to watch both in the movie theatres. Beetle juice was just so bizarre and fun. Tim Burton the master mind behind beetle juice , nite mare before Christmas, Edward scissor hands chose his actors well

[@PetePuebla]

Michael Keaton still doesn't miss a beat as Beetlejuice. He's still true to form. Loved seeing the character and wish we saw more of him.

[@BrianTaylor-AlwaysInTao]

1st movie I vaguely remember the line "Shake up the Juice and see what breaks loose."

[@samythekay]

2:38 "NOW YOU WANNA GET NUTS ?!!!!"

[@samanthab1923]

Thirty six years?! Jesus

[@larrypahl5756]

mike may be our most believable actor of our time.

[@WTIV]

Best Batman ever.

[@delrenesims3013]

Michael Keaton is a rock star . A terrific actor. Great to see the new Movie. Can’t wait.

[@Nahthanksyouserious]

Micheal Keaton asked Tim Burton, "Give me a night!" and it was a Dark Knight.

[@AlkalineInsides]

Booooo

[@chrlpolk]

And then slipped in “go nuts” and no one seemed to catch it 😂

[@LindaC616]

Lol, my older brother used to do/does that silly walk in the supermarket to embarrass his wife 😅. I think that's one reason why I always liked Beetlejuice

[@MrJrFish]

So good to see him doing something he is truly proud of and has fun with. This a great interview and I'm glad he just got to talk uninterrupted.

[@fergaoneill5323]

World master class actor Michael Keaton is a genuis

[@mikemcculley]

Michael Keaton is one of my favorite actors of all time. That being said, I just now in this interview noticed how much he sounds like Jay Leno.

[@ilovegodzilla]

Just watched Knox Goes Away. Highly recommend.

[@Rad9000]

Part of me really wants to believe Michael use to listen to a lot of Minor Threat and Misfits back in the day. He's just Punk Rock to me.

[@Hellbound68]

Reminds me so much of the cartoon before i was old enough to watch the film, i was born 86 and this was everything i hoped it wud be

[@linapagliari8003]

One of my all time favourite actors love MICHAEL a classy guy so talented 👏🇨🇦

[@chuckferguson9226]

Been waiting on this for a minute

[@blanefabin3492]

Gung ho is still most underated movie. Funny as hell, with an awesome message

[@marcopaulo5052]

Producer’s note: If you’re going to do a 2-part interview, label them 1/2 and 2/2 on KZbin. Or don’t split them up at all. Why does NBC have so much money but so little common sense?

[@danielleryan196]

It's not just an NBC thing

[@TheMulToyVerse]

I get to see this on my b-day Doesn’t mean a damn thing in the grand scheme of things, but it’s a good reason to go outside when I’d otherwise just be sitting at home

[@clairemaher9169]

This man is brilliant. This interview is brilliant!

[@patriciapatriciagray-thorp9574]

Classic🎉🎉🎉only Michael Keaton is the only actor who could ace this role🎉🎉🎉 Kudos to Tim Burton🎉🎉🎉

[@spookybookz9981]

Loved the new film so fun , still can’t believe it’s been over 35 years though! & Keaton is aging beautifully!

[@danos1011]

this guy is eternally yooung.. amazing

[@christopherhughes-hh2yp]

For me the most underrated acotors ever

[@comotuabogada]

Loved Beetlejuice Beetlejuice!!! Go Michaaael❤

[@CortinasAndClassics]

Awesome I can't wait to see this.

[@maggiedunn7167]

Visually- beautiful plot- lackluster but I would see it again since it was so beautiful

[@cannibalbananas]

Michael played a really good bad guy in Desperate Measures imo. I prefer him in comedy roles, but I really liked that movie.

[@johna1427]

He’s so awesome

[@Shay_TheUnpopularOpinion_]

Beetlejuice fan here! So excited for the movie!!

[@Dee-jq2ob]

I love Michael so much and he makes great movies. I waited for the flash to be free and only watched it to see Keaton and he was so good, seeing him as Batman again was great. Movie was not good, he was the only good thing

[@rachel_rexxx]

Truly, it's hard to touch the unabashed weirdness of that IP. Looking forward to it!

[@AndrewsOpinion15]

HAPPY 73TH BIRTHDAY MICHAEL KEATON !!!!

[@mqb5151]

Very underrated actor

[@ObsidianLife]

I'm so glad Keaton got his second wave...at the time, he wasn't taken that seriously as an actor. Many people, including me, thought he was a bad choice for Batman...we were WRONG. He is an AMAZING actor with an incredible legacy!!!

[@vickiep4217]

It was the first Burton film I saw and was hooked on both him ( not recently 5hough 😂) and Michael Keaton. For a total of abput 20 minutes screen time, he was just brilliant - and the proof is that most people would say (only once) Beetlejuice first if you ask them to name one of his films. Side note. Was 5alking to a work colleague when the cast was announced. She went into a rant about the fact it was misogyny and ageism that Geena Davis wasn't in it ( wasn't bothered about Baldwin for some reason...). I had to point out that as a ghost wouldn't age, it would make it tricky. I hope there's some sort of nod to her though. Part excited but also worried as often sequ9, especially after a long time, tend to be disappointing...🤞🏻

[@jdwinks40]

My dentist looks and sounds like he could be Michael Keaton's brother. That and the awesome dentistry skills are why I've had him as my dentist for almost 20 years lol

[@raleighrotary3022]

Love Michael Keaton!

[@mattgarcxc9]

If he tags the city it should be “the Keats is loose”

[@bingbong3643]

Now they need to make a Batman beyond’s movie together.

[@stonerthoosie]

Seth: You never called yourself “Juice” in the original. Keaton in 1988: “Let’s turn on The Juice and see what shakes loose.”

[@b.valentine5283]

Beetlejuice referred to himself as "The Juice" in the original, too- "The juice is loose"

[@TheRogueStatesman]

this was a masterclass for all actors out there...🤩

[@JeannetteReed]

M!Mmm. Looking fine, Michael Keaton!

[@CallMeGailyn]

The movies were filmed at least in part down the road of a friend of mine. She sent some photos of the outside of the house. It was interesting! I loved the first movie, and it's been a Halloween must. So, maybe I'll check out the second movie.

[@Ari-pw6nu]

He steals every one of his scenes in "The Other Guys".

[@TheIMMORTALKAHNHD]

holy crap he looks old.....but he looks GOOD!!!! (his was the first movie in theaters I ever saw) 89 Batman

[@mikeuscila9255]

72

[@Natedawgg84]

Me too!

[@Agent-wn7le]

Beetle juice beetle juice beetle juice

[@MrS98VAC]

The Dream Team

[@Davepool-hs7vr]

How did Beetlejuice grow his head back to his regular size in the sequel?

[@mikeuscila9255]

Magic 🎩

[@WeezaY5000]

A wizard did it.

[@elvia3068]

Ahhhh! BJuice,BJuice,BJuice upgraded 2024 I can't wait.

[@Ryanlarkinbowe23]

Amazing how well he slipped back into the character. We’ve really seen nothing like it

[@giftofthepadgii]

Michael Keaton and Conner O' Malley on the same show! Swoon!

[@frankcarter7146]

Love this guy 😂❤

[@misstreas84]

he is still hot and his acting in anything to this day is perfect!!!

[@david05111]

I was really hoping he was going to do the voice for a few seconds haha

[@asynchronicity]

Love Michael!

[@BK-ys4pc]

Love him so much

[@leelourose2503]

Does anyone else think Michael Keaton and Howie Mandel could make a crazy awesome movie together?

[@waylinvanhalen]

Keeton rules