More than 30 years after the film hit theaters, talk of making a sequel to classic horror-comedy "Beetlejuice" is still percolating. But how likely is it that that film will ever materialize?

According to director Tim Burton, fans shouldn't hold their breath. A new report from USA Today says that when asked what was happening with "Beetlejuice 2," the filmmaker "mumbled" an answer of "Nothing, nothing."

When asked directly if the movie would ever get made, Burton replied, "I don't know. I doubt it."

Warner Bros. also seemed to put the nail in the sequel's coffin, with a studio spokesperson telling USA Today that "the project isn’t in active development."

So what gives? After all, Burton and stars Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder have all publicly discussed the sequel in recent years. Warner Bros. even hired a new screenwriter for the project back in 2017, and reportedly had plans in place to get "Beetlejuice 2" into theaters in time for the 1988 film's 30th anniversary.

Original co-screenwriter Larry Wilson thinks that it all comes down to the story, and trying to put a new spin on the original writing and offbeat vibe of the first film is no small task.

"The bottom line is, Tim Burton and Michael Keaton are not going to think about a 'Beetlejuice' sequel unless it somehow catches the energy of the first film. And that’s not easy," Wilson explained to USA Today. "'Beetlejuice' really was lightning in a bottle."

That being said, Wilson added that the creative team was very eager to check out the new "Beetlejuice" musical, which is opening on Broadway later this month. If all goes according to plan, it could perhaps relaunch plans for a sequel.

"It seems like they have really reinvented the movie and it's looking like a real hit," Wilson told USA Today. "So we'll sit tight until then."

Maybe keep your striped suit on standby, just in case.

[via: USA Today]