{"id":22796,"date":"2024-09-01T14:17:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-01T12:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=22796"},"modified":"2024-09-01T15:40:29","modified_gmt":"2024-09-01T13:40:29","slug":"qa-with-winona-ryder-lydia-beetlejuice-beetlejuice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2024\/09\/01\/qa-with-winona-ryder-lydia-beetlejuice-beetlejuice\/","title":{"rendered":"Q&A With Winona Ryder (Lydia) – Beetlejuice Beetlejuice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

QUESTION: Fans have been waiting years for a sequel to the original film, which occupies a special place in popular culture. What occurred that made this the right time and how did it feel when you knew it was going to happen?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WINONA RYDER:<\/strong> I think we all knew the only way that it could work was if Tim was directing, and Michael and Catherine were available to do it. But every year or two, I’d see Tim and we’d get into a huddle, and we’d talk about it. And then, it was actually happening, and I remember being struck with terror. I had to ask myself: who is Lydia now? She\u2019s had a child, it completely changed her life, but she still is Lydia. I think her daughter, Astrid [played by Jenna Ortega], has everything to do with who Lydia is now. We meet Lydia at this strange time in her life, where she’s a little bit on autopilot, a little bit lost\u2026 But then, everyone reunites and chaos ensues [laughs]. I thought the script was great, and we all felt very safe coming back. It was just a really beautiful experience in creative chaos, which is a wonderful place to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

QUESTION: What was it like to return to the role of Lydia, now all grown-up and at an interesting point in her life?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WINONA RYDER: I’ve never returned to a role. I’ve done a series, but that’s very different. I mean, this is returning to something\u2014I don’t even know how many years, I was 15 when I made it, so it’s a lifetime. There is an element of terror that I think we all had. And then once we started it, you find your rhythm. Tim is very specific, but he’s also really open and that’s what’s so beautiful about him. He can be incredibly detailed and remain so open to ideas or ways to play a scene. You actually do feel like you’re collaborating, which doesn’t always happen. But with Tim, there’s a magic, truly. I think his heart is in this and I could see how much he related to Lydia, which I found really moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

QUESTION: And it seems Beetlejuice is still besotted with Lydia. What was it like, seeing Michael again, back as Beetlejuice?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WINONA RYDER:<\/strong> Seeing him for the first time in makeup again\u2014I\u2019ll never forget that moment. Filming with Michael in the attic, our first scene together, I was just like, \u201cWhoa, where, what? Like, what year is this?\u201d It was a trip\u2014all of my scenes with him were incredible. It was one of the most special experiences I\u2019ve ever had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s going to sound strange, because he’s Beetlejuice and I\u2019m Lydia, but I’ve never felt so safe with an actor before. He is everything you hope he would be. I think Michael\u2019s a real genius. Plus, he is always looking out for you, and he’s always there for you. He will always have your back and make sure you’re comfortable, which is certainly not Beetlejuice, but that’s who Michael is. So, it’s remarkable that he can turn into this other guy. It\u2019s kind of amazing. It’s really one of the best times I’ve ever had. Every moment on this, I really wanted to be present, because things like this don\u2019t happen\u2014it was so special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

QUESTION: Lydia now has a daughter, Astrid, who is the same age as Lydia was in the original film. What was it like working with Jenna Ortega and establishing that somewhat complex mother\/daughter relationship with her?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WINONA RYDER:<\/strong> Jenna, I’m absolutely in love with her! She is such a magnificent presence and person, and she\u2019s endlessly fascinating with a huge heart. Jenna coming on was a huge gift. What Jenna does, it\u2019s remarkable, because she’s not<\/strong> Lydia. She really created her own very unique character. I see her very much as Lydia\u2019s daughter\u2014she has inherited a lot of stuff\u2014but Jenna really created her own thing, which I really admired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We first met at Tim\u2019s house\u2014\u201cWednesday\u201d had just come out. I know what an overwhelming feeling it is to be in a show that suddenly takes off. So, I just gave her a big hug and I felt instantly maternal towards her. On my third day\u2014that was the day we were shooting in the attic\u2014we really started talking, and it was almost like once that door opened, it never closed. That was the day we locked into each other, on camera and off. I felt a lot like I was seeing a younger version of myself, only she’s a hundred times cooler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

QUESTION: What can audiences expect seeing <\/strong>Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice<\/strong><\/em> on the big screen?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WINONA RYDER:<\/strong> Well, their expectations are probably extremely high, but I feel very confident that it will match and exceed expectations. It certainly did mine, and mine are way up there. It\u2019s a great time and it absolutely deserves to be seen on the big screen. And I literally think every generation can find something in it that they’ll really appreciate. It’s just brilliant for fans of Tim’s work, certainly. And I know, again, the expectations are high and mine were high. To have that feeling of reaching those and then delivering even more\u2014it was a great feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n