Winona Ryder bagged Lydia's role in 'Beetlejuice' after defeating Brooke Shields and Alyssa Milano at 16
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Tim Burton’s ‘Beetlejuice 2’ is now on the floors and fans can’t keep calm to watch Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder reprise their iconic roles of Betelgeuse (pronounced Beetlejuice) and gothic teenager Lydia Deetz respectively. As Keaton was not the first choice to play the titular character, similarly the 16-year-old Ryder also had to battle with a plethora of actresses to get the iconic role.
According to E! News actresses including Lori Loughlin, Diane Lane, Sarah Jessica Parker, Brooke Shields, Justine Bateman, Molly Ringwald, and Jennifer Connelly were among many who were considered for the role of Lydia. While they turned down the offer, actresses Juliette Lewis and Alyssa Milano auditioned for it. However, in the end, Winona Ryder signed the dotted line as Burton liked her performance in the coming-out-of-age drama ‘Lucas’.
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Tim Burton initially wanted Arnold Schwarzenegger to play Beetlejuice instead of Michael Keaton
‘It was between the two of us’
The ‘Brazen’ star Alyssa Milano once said in an interview with HuffPost, "It was between the two of us, and she actually got the part," referring to the last round of the audition. She further reminisced about an alternate reality had she been chosen instead, "You always wonder what would have happened differently in my life had that worked out, not that I would want it to be any different, but it's just an interesting thought game."
The star, who was in her early teens, recalled the disappointment she felt due to the rejection, "I was so little," before adding, "You just hear, 'Oh, you didn't get it. Someone else got it' -- which was hard.”
Winona Ryder is back to reprise the role of Lydia
As it has been reported, the shooting of the sequel has started and Winona Ryder has been seen reprising her role of Lydia. As People has reported, the ‘Edward Scissorhands’ star was spotted rocking dark black hair and matching black attire during the process of filming on Thursday.
The sequel is all set to premiere on September 6, 2024, and it also reportedly features the Wednesday star Jenna Ortega. The Hollywood Reporter has also said that Monica Bellucci has joined the cast of ‘Beetlejuice’ to play the role of Keaton’s wife.
