The 81st Venice Film Festival begins on a glamorous note with the world premiere of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” in Venice, Italy. The film, a sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 horror-comedy, features Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, Catherine O’Hara, and Monica Bellucci among its star-studded cast. The story follows Lydia, now a mother to a moody teenage daughter, Astrid, who encounters the mischievous ghoul Beetlejuice in an old model city in the attic.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” produced by Warner Bros., premieres out of competition at the festival before its global theatrical release next week, marking the beginning of a vibrant 10-day event on the Lido island.
Joining the festival lineup are George Clooney and Brad Pitt later in the week for the out of competition premiere of “Wolfs” and the closing film “Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 2” directed by Kevin Costner on Sept. 7, followed by the awards ceremony.
Notable films contending for the prestigious Golden Lion award include Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie à Deux” starring Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix, Pablo Larraín’s Maria Callas biopic “Maria” featuring Angelina Jolie, the erotic thriller “Babygirl” with Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson, Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ “Queer” starring Daniel Craig, and Pedro Almodóvar’s first English-language film “The Room Next Door” with Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton.