Tim Burton 'Beetlejuice' Sequel "Confirmation" Turns Out to Be Hoax

For years, there has been talk that Tim Burton is working towards making a deal with Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder to make Beetlejuice 2, and this Friday morning a "confirmation" of the project appeared online, prompting excitement in news outlets around the world. However, it turns out the whole thing was nothing but a cruel hoax, and there's no word yet on a possible sequel.

It was website ShowBizSpy that first ignited the rumor, which was pretty odd from the start with, as it claimed it was what "our source said Tim told him." The story came out last Tuesday, though it didn't go viral until a few days later, and it caught the attention of fans all over the world on Friday morning.

In all, the outlet's third party said that Warner Bros. had already approved the project and Burton and the studio were currently in talks with the cast, though on principle they were all on board, including Keaton and Ryder. Supposedly, they had "the script in hand" and all they needed was to "get ready to start filming."

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Multiple outlets excitedly reported the story, as it seemed like one of the most beloved films Burton has ever made was coming back to life, alongside its original cast. Still, a few hours after the story ignited all over the web, a rep for the filmmaker denied the allegations.

"I rep Tim Burton and wanted to let you know that Tim did not provide a statement to confirm Beetlejuice 2 as the movie is not in development," one of his people said to U.K. outlet The Independent. "Tim's focus is entirely on Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children and developing Dumbo."

So much for saying Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice and having the ghost appear out of nowhere.

Still, there have been signals over the past months that the project could be a go eventually. Months back, Ryder appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers and confirmed there was at least a plan for the film, so, while Burton's busy with other projects at the moment, he might still have a spot for the trickster ghost in his schedule.