Michael Keatons gut made him sign ‘Beetlejuice’ after thinking it was bad’

Michael Keaton Recalls Almost Passing on Beetlejuice: “I Didn’t Know What It Was”

Michael Keaton recently reflected on his close call with turning down the iconic role in Beetlejuice, admitting it was almost the biggest pass of his career. Fortunately, the actor changed his mind just in time.

“I used to be known as ‘Dr. No’ because I’ve turned down a lot of roles. Not out of arrogance, just for whatever reason,” Keaton shared with People magazine in its latest cover story.

Keaton explained how he initially considered saying no to working with director Tim Burton. “Somebody said, ‘Do you want to meet this guy? He made this movie, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, and stuff,’” Keaton recalled. “I’d seen a little bit. I didn’t even watch the whole movie, I don’t think. And I said, ‘Sure.’”

However, Keaton admitted he was initially baffled by Burton’s pitch for Beetlejuice. “I just didn’t know what he was talking about,” Keaton said of his first meeting with the director. “I’m not being sarcastic. I didn’t understand what he was talking about. So I’d say, ‘Wait a minute, but who is he? What is it?’”

Despite his confusion, Keaton agreed to a follow-up meeting. “I just said, ‘I don’t know what it is, and he’d probably be better off getting someone else because I don’t get it.’ Not like, ‘I don’t get it. I thought it was bad.’ I literally didn’t know what it was,” he explained.

But Keaton couldn’t ignore a gut feeling he had about Burton. “My gut said, ‘This guy is something. For sure, something,’” Keaton shared. “Plus, I just liked him. I liked him as a person. I got along with him, and he seemed like my kind of eccentric artist.”

Ultimately, Keaton’s instinct to trust Burton paid off, leading to one of the most memorable performances of his career.