How Wednesday Helped Jenna Ortega Prepare for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

How Wednesday Helped Jenna Ortega Prepare for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re looking at how “Wednesday” paved the way for Jenna Ortega to star in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.”

By the early 80s - roughly 20 years before Ortega was born - goth subculture started to enter the mainstream zeitgeist. In “The Breakfast Club,” Ally Sheedy’s Allison identifies as “a basket case,” although she encompasses many of the qualities that came to be associated with goths. Allison could be seen as an early goth icon, although she ultimately conforms to traditional beauty standards. Within the coming years, two characters would make goth girls feel seen: Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz in “Beetlejuice” and Christina Ricci’s Wednesday Addams. Reveling in black wardrobes, neither character cared what others thought of them. While both were proud outsiders, Lydia and Wednesday weren’t above helping others, be it ghosts trying to reclaim their home or fellow misfits at a summer camp.

Between Lydia and Wednesday, more people celebrated goth culture, coinciding with the ascent of director Tim Burton. It’s not surprising that after directing “Beetlejuice,” Burton was approached about helming “The Addams Family.” Burton turned the 1991 film down due to other commitments, but he’d finally take a crack at Charles Addams’ characters in the TV series “Wednesday.” As the title suggests, this incarnation designated most of the family to supporting roles, giving Wednesday center stage. While Burton’s signature style was perfectly tailored for this material, the project’s success depended just as much on who would play Wednesday. Netflix provided the creators with a list of potential actresses. Among them was Jenna Ortega, a former Disney Channel star who had recently been cast in 2022’s “Scream.”

Beyond her rising scream queen status, Ortega’s past roles and real-life personality exemplified a dry wit that suited Wednesday’s morbid sense of humor. It was also important to the creators that Wendesday’s Latina heritage be reflected. Although she seemed born to play Wednesday, Ortega initially wasn’t eager to star in another teen-centric show, feeling she should focus on film. Upon learning that Burton wanted to meet with her, though, it didn’t take much more than a Zoom call to convince Ortega. In preparation, Ortega studied “The Addams Family” comics and Lisa Loring’s performance in the 60s TV series, adopting Wednesday’s speech patterns and body language. She picked up new skills as well like playing the cello, archery, fencing, and speaking German.

Ortega shared the screen with her predecessor Christina Ricci in a prominent supporting role. Although this invited comparisons, Ortega embodied Wednesday while making the role her own. Ortega even choreographed Wednesday’s now-viral dance sequence and changed certain lines she felt didn’t ring true to the character. This caused tension between some creatives and Ortega, who acknowledged she might’ve been acting “almost unprofessional,” but she was “very, very protective of [Wednesday].” Co-developer Alfred Gough also understood that “the lead of any show becomes your collaborator.” You can’t say Ortega’s input was unwarranted. “Wednesday” took Ortega to another level of fame while introducing “The Addams Family” to a new generation. With one gothic franchise revived, now seemed like the ideal time to revisit “Beetlejuice.”

A “Beetlejuice” sequel had been in limbo for decades, at one point being entitled “Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian.” After several false starts, a sequel - eventually titled “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” - gained traction in early 2022. Although Burton initially denied involvement, it wasn’t long until he came on board. In March 2023, the same month that “Scream VI” came out, rumors circulated that Ortega was in talks to play Lydia’s daughter, Astrid Deetz. Only a couple of months later, Ortega officially joined the cast with Burton directing. Returning stars like Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, and Winona Ryder have seen career resurgences in the past few years. While this added to the film’s marketability, every legacy sequel needs a newcomer to carry the torch. Who better than Ortega?

Ortega had always loved the original 1988 film, seeing it for the first time at a friend’s house. Even before watching the film, Ortega was familiar with Betelgeuse and Lydia, recalling the characters being everywhere growing up. Ortega even had “consistent dreams” about “Beetlejuice” as a kid. When Ortega arrived on the set, Keaton said she “immediately knew what the tone was and just slipped in like she does every day.” One could argue that “Wednesday” was Ortega’s audition for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” In both projects, Ortega plays a sarcastic outcast who doesn’t need/want validation from her preppier peers. Yet, Astrid isn’t just a retread of Wednesday, nor is she Lydia 2.0.

According to Ortega, Astrid is “weird, but in a different way and not in the way you’d assume.” Although Astrid shares much in common with Lydia, she’s reluctant to acknowledge her “alleged mom.” Wednesday and Morticia similarly found themselves at odds. As the younger Addams grew distant from her mother, she unearthed a family secret, just as Astrid learns about her mother’s history with Betelgeuse. Ortega says, “The relationship between Lydia and Astrid… is very important.” Despite the tension between their characters, Ortega and Winona Ryder developed a close bond on set. At a time when Ortega was feeling “isolated,” she appreciated “being able to speak to somebody who had witnessed that firsthand, maybe even more,” calling Ryder, “a great source of comfort.”

During their careers, Ortega and Ryder have both been described as “it girls.” While the definition of “it girl” has evolved over the decades, the term is typically associated with young ladies who epitomize glamor. Although Ortega and Ryder have class in spades, it’s ironic that both rose to fame playing unapologetic oddballs. Of course, Ryder soon revealed that her repertoire didn’t end with Lydia. Entering the 90s, Ryder transformed in costume dramas like “The Age of Innocence,” “Little Women,” and “The Crucible.” She also demonstrated her range in contemporary films like “Girl, Interrupted.” One could imagine Ortega having a varied career like Ryder’s.

With characters like Wednesday and Astrid, Ortega has become Hollywood’s go-to actress for sharp-tongued teenagers. Ortega doesn’t want to be typecast, however. Discussing her transition from Disney Channel to more mature projects like 2021’s “The Fallout,” Ortega said that she wanted to pursue more “diverse roles” and not get “pigeonholed as an actor.” “Wednesday” helped to evolve Ortega’s image, providing a natural path to “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” In general, Ortega enjoys starring in horror projects, calling the genre “therapeutic.” Since Ortega seems keen on shaking things up, though, we can expect her to keep branching out.

Like Ryder, Ortega is an actress we’ll surely still be talking about years from now. Just as Lydia remains an icon, we’ll never forget the roles that made Ortega a household name. “The Addams Family” and “Beetlejuice” were around long before Ortega. To a generation just starting to discover these properties, though, it’ll be impossible to imagine them without her. From Wednesday to Astrid, Ortega has solidified herself as a scream queen, an it girl, and so much more.

Are you excited for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” and “Wednesday” Season 2? Let us know in the comments.