Jenna Ortega‘s stardom has risen drastically in recent years following her starring roles in major franchises like Scream, Wednesday, and soon, Beetlejuice. But the actress recalls that she nearly added a monolithic sci-fi franchise to the list… Dune. Jenna Ortega is set to star in Tim Burton’s long-awaited sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Following on from her iconic performance in Wednesday, Ortega is becoming synonymous with gothic roles, but had she earned the part she auditioned for years ago, the actress could have become a staple of modern sci-fi movies.
Jenna Ortega sat down with Buzzfeed to undertake the Puppy Interview about her upcoming role in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, alongside Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Willem Dafoe, and Monica Bellucci. During the conversation, Jenna Ortega revealed that she auditioned for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune in 2016. The actress said the audition was shrouded in mystery, and she wasn’t outrightly told which role she was auditioning for. However, Ortega believes she was brought in to read for the role of Chani, which eventually went to Zendaya. The actress said:
“I auditioned for Dune when I was about 15. I remember just being a big fan of that film and franchise, and being really excited for that movie because Denis is one of my favorite filmmakers.
I think it was Chani. I think it was Zendaya’s [character]. But they weren’t saying that. Everything was very secret
.”
While Jenna Ortega missed out on starring in Dune, she has landed the part in a different eagerly anticipated sci-fi adaptation. Director Taika Waititi is bringing acclaimed author Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun to the big screen. The movie is currently slated to release in 2025, and stars Amy Adams, Natasha Lyonne, Simon Baker, and Davida McKenzie.
Jenna Ortega Got a Beetlejuice Welcome on Set of the Upcoming Sequel
Jenna Ortega has no reason to feel FOMO looking back at her potential role in Dune as she joins the cast of one of 2024’s most anticipated movies. Ortega plays Astrid Deetz in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the daughter of Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder). The sequel, 36 years in the making, sees the Deetz family return to Winter River after a family tragedy. When Astrid discovers the model town in the family’s attic, she sarcastically summons Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton). After the undead trickster kidnaps her, taking her to the afterlife, Lydia and Delia Deetz (Catherine O’Hara) embark on a dangerous mission to rescue her.
Keaton’s natural charisma as Beetlejuice helped make the original movie such a beloved classic. Jenna Ortega remembers her first time meeting Keaton in character, and the actor gave her a typical Beetlejuice welcome. Ortega said:
“He came up behind me. I was getting a hair and makeup test, and I got a tap on the shoulder and I turned around and it was a jump scare for sure. He was like, ‘Oh hey I’m Michael,’ and he had molds peeling off his face. I played it cool, and then it was cool until I met him for a second time out of hair and makeup because I introduced myself again because I forgot that I had already met him.”
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
releases in theaters on September 6, 2024.