The 81st Venice Film Festival is set to launch in style with the world premiere of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” on Wednesday. Hollywood stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, Catherine O’Hara, and Monica Bellucci are expected to attend, bringing major star power to the Lido. This sequel to Tim Burton’s iconic 1988 horror-comedy will debut out of competition, just days before its worldwide release in theaters.
The film revisits the quirky Deetz family, now led by Lydia (played by Ryder), who has grown up and become a mother to a teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega) the star of Netflix’s popular series “Wednesday. The plot thickens when Astrid stumbles upon the old model city in the attic, unwittingly summoning Beetlejuice (Keaton) once again. As the mischievous ghoul returns, chaos ensues in this much-anticipated continuation of the original story.
High-Profile Premieres and Star Appearances to Highlight the Festival
The Venice Film Festival, renowned for its glamorous setting and prestigious line-up, will also feature major appearances throughout its ten-day run. George Clooney and Brad Pitt are set to return later in the week for the out-of-competition premiere of “Wolfs.” The festival will conclude with the premiere of “Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 2” by Kevin Costner on September 7, just before the highly anticipated awards ceremony.
Among the films competing for the coveted Golden Lion are Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie à Deux” starring Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix, and Pablo Larraín’s “Maria” featuring Angelina Jolie as the legendary opera singer Maria Callas. Also in the running are Halina Reijn’s “Babygirl,” an erotic thriller starring Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson, Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ “Queer” with Daniel Craig, and Pedro Almodóvar’s first English-language film, “The Room Next Door” starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton.
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Venice Film Festival: A Legacy of Cinematic Excellence
Since its inception in 1932, the Venice Film Festival has been a beacon of international cinema, attracting filmmakers, stars, and cinephiles from around the globe. With its mix of world premieres, top-tier Hollywood talent, and a diverse array of films, the 81st edition promises to uphold the festival’s longstanding tradition of cinematic excellence. This year’s festival is set to be a memorable event, celebrating the art of film in one of the world’s most picturesque and historically rich cities.
As the festival kicks off, all eyes will be on Venice, where the next ten days will undoubtedly shape conversations in the global film industry. From the glittering red carpets to the eagerly awaited premieres, the Venice Film Festival remains one of the most prestigious and influential events in the cinematic calendar.