Jenna Ortega’s Biggest Upcoming Projects Have The Opposite Approach, But Beetlejuice 2 Is Winning
Jenna Ortega has several big projects in the works, but her two biggest upcoming titles are taking very different approaches to production techniques.
Jenna Ortega has two upcoming releases that would be considered her most anticipated, but Beetlejuice 2 might be the most exciting of the pair based on one production approach. The 2024 sequel, which is cleverly titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, is set to feature the actress as the teenage daughter of Lydia Deetz, who Winona Ryder will once again play. While much of Beetlejuice 2’s plot has yet to be unveiled, the new and returning cast has propelled much of the hype for the sequel.
Ortega will also be working alongside Michael Keaton and Catherine O’Hara, both of whom starred in the 1988 original, as well as fellow franchise newcomers Monica Bellucci, Willem Dafoe, and Justin Theroux. While Beetlejuice 2 is a notable title on Ortega’s list of upcoming releases, it’s certainly not the only one. The popular actress will also star alongside Paul Rudd in A24’s Death of a Unicorn, in addition to lead roles in Winter Spring Summer or Fall and Klara and the Sun. She will also be returning to her TV role, which now seems to be going in a different direction than her other major project.
Beetlejuice 2 Is Taking A Very Different Approach Compared To Wednesday Season 2
Aside from Beetlejuice 2, Jenna Ortega’s other massively popular project set to release soon is Wednesday season 2. After starring as the titular Addams Family character for Netflix’s adaptation, Ortega rose to superstardom with the help of Wednesday’s streaming records. Upon working with Tim Burton on Wednesday, Ortega was cast in the filmmaker’s long-awaited Beetlejuice sequel. Much to the excitement of fans, Keaton confirmed Beetlejuice 2 would use practical effects just like the first movie.
Wednesday, on the other hand, is going in a different direction based on teases surrounding season 2. Whereas the performances and overall vision of the show were received relatively well, some of Wednesday’s criticisms pointed to its use of CGI and special effects. What’s more, Ortega has stated that Wednesday season 2 would be “more action-packed,” which is concerning since that strategy insinuates a heavier reliance on special effects and CGI elements compared to the other project Ortega worked on with Burton.
Why Beetlejuice 2’s Practical Effects Sound Better Than Wednesday Season 2’s Visual Approach
Even with Beetlejuice’s small budget of $15 million, only $1 million of that was said to be used for special effects. Burton utilized his expertise in stop-motion, puppetry, and other practical effects magic to create the horror comedy partially set in the Netherworld. Those handmade elements and focus on critical details greatly paid off in giving Beetlejuice a fun fantasy feel, and Beetlejuice 2 is replicating that approach. Rather than going bigger and aiming for that big Hollywood vibe like Wednesday season 2, Beetlejuice 2 is embracing a better and more authentic approach.
While there’s still hope that Netflix can fix Wednesday season 2’s CGI concerns, time might not be on the show’s side. Wednesday season 2 has been delayed to 2025, but the show might not have much leeway when it comes to experimenting with new special effects, even with Burton back as a producer and director. If Wednesday season 2 does need to rely heavily on CGI, unlike Beetlejuice 2, Netflix and the show’s team hopefully paid attention to the first installment’s criticisms to avoid any effects that diminish the storytelling or character effectiveness.
