Michael Keaton wanted for 'Beetlejuice' sequel

Michael Keaton is being sought for the proposed Beetlejuice sequel.

Writer/producer duo David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith have received the blessing of Tim Burton to follow up his 1988 comedy horror.

The pair have said they are unwilling to make the film without Keaton as the star.

"When Warner Bros came to us about it, we said the only way we'd do it [was] if we got Tim [Burton's] blessing and involvement, and we got that, and the star of the movie has to be Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice, and it's a true continuation 26 years later," Grahame-Smith told Entertainment Weekly.

"Not just throwing him in as a cameo going, 'Hey, it's me. I endorse this movie'. We're not there yet [with Keaton] because we don't have a film to present to him."

The pair were quick to repeat that they are planning a sequel and not a remake of the original film.

Grahame-Smith is best known as the horror mash-up author responsible for the surprise bestseller Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Television and reality show producer Katzenberg is the son of DreamWorks Animation chief Jeffrey Katzenberg.

The original Beetlejuice movie starred Keaton, Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin.

Watch the trailer for Tim Burton's Beetlejuice below: