Director Tim Burton has been making the press rounds of late to promote his new film Big Eyes, which arrives on Christmas Day, and he has also been offering new details on the highly-anticipated Beetlejuice 2. The director revealed just yesterday that the project is closer than ever to happening, while star Michael Keaton said that he wants to make sure the script is just right before returning as the Ghost With the Most. During a new interview with MTV, Tim Burton confirmed that he is set to direct, and that another original Beetlejuice star, Winona Ryder, will be back as Lydia Deetz. Here's what the filmmaker had to say below, when asked if the actress will be returning.

"Oh yeah, yeah yeah yeah. Oh yeah, oh yeah. Yeah yeah, oh yeah. I worked with [Ryder], I hadn't seen her in awhile, and she was so great. I was so happy to see her. So those kinds of elements mean something to me. Michael, and her... and that character, I just miss it, there's some freedom about that character that I love."

The director most recently worked with Winona Ryder on a music video he directed for The Killers, which got him even more excited for Beetlejuice 2. When asked if he's happy with the script, which was written by Seth Grahame-Smith and David Katzenberg, the director revealed that "there's only one Betelgeuse," seemingly confirming that Michael Keaton will be back. However, the director added that he hasn't been able to get a hold of him lately, since he is on the awards campaign for his role in Birdman.

"Let's put it this way. There's only one Betelgeuse, for sure, and it's pretty good. I haven't really yet spoken to him because he's out on his awards campaign, so I can't get to him now. I'm very happy, because I've worked with him several times, and to go from Beetlejuice to Batman is quite a big range, and I know he's got the range. It's great."

Are you excited that Lydia Deetz will be back in Beetlejuice 2? It's still unclear when production may begin on this highly-anticipated sequel, but it seems that many of the elements are in place for this follow-up to move forward. We'll be sure to keep you posted with any further updates as soon as more information becomes available.