Catherine O’Hara (center) as Delia Deetz inBeetlejuice(1988).Photo:Warner Brothers /courtesy Everett Collection
Warner Brothers /courtesy Everett Collection
Catherine O’Harais getting back to herBeetlejuiceroots.
The actress, 70, appeared on Wednesday’s episode of theLet’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripapodcast, where she dished on reprising her character Delia Deetz in directorTim Burton’s sequel to his 1988 film, titledBeetlejuiceBeetlejuice.
“Day-O” became so popular for its association with the movie that it even made it into theBroadwaymusical version — as did the late Belafonte’s “Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora),” which plays at the end ofBeetlejuicefor a mid-air dance session from Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder).
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Beetlejuice(1988).Geffen/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock
Geffen/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock
O’Hara talked toKelly Ripaabout how Burton, 65, “really wanted to get the old feeling back” with the sequel, which comes out later this year and also sees the return of original cast members Ryder, 52, andMichael Keaton. New cast members includeMonica BellucciandJenna Ortega.
“When [Tim] did the firstBeetlejuice, I think they wouldn’t even release it until they saw how [Pee-wee’s Big Adventure] did. That was his first … he was a newcomer. He was a beginner,” O’Hara told Ripa, 53. “He was just starting out and he didn’t have all that pressure on him that he now has. He wasn’t the Tim Burton that we all know and love.”
“And he really just wanted that feeling back of just playing and nobody looking over his shoulder,” she continued. “And he really got it.”
Of filming the sequel, O’Hara added of Burton, “He was in that same state of mind, real free and fun. And he’s really funny and a great laugher, and it was just really loose and fun and lovely.”
From L: Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, Jeffrey Jones and Glenn Shadix inBeetlejuice(1988).PictureLux/The Hollywood Archive/Alamy
PictureLux/The Hollywood Archive/Alamy
Speakingwith PEOPLE in January, O’Hara said of reuniting with Ryder, whose character Lydia is Delia’s stepdaughter, “Winona, God bless her, looks the same. She looks beautiful, beautiful skin."
As for the cast newbies? “Jenna Ortega’s great. Love her. What a cool young woman. Wow,” O’Hara added of the 21-year-oldWednesdayactress.
Plot details of the sequel are still tightly under wraps, but PEOPLE previously reported Ortega plays Lydia’s daughter (whose name hassince been revealed as Astrid) and Bellucci, 59, plays the wife of Beetlejuice (Keaton, 72).
O’Hara also admitted she was cautious about giving out any more details. “I don’t want to blow it for anyone,” she told PEOPLE. “I don’t want to spoil the fun for anyone.”
Beetlejuice Beetlejuiceis in theaters Sept. 6.
source: people.com