AceShowbiz - It's been 36 years since Tim Burton introduced audiences to the chaotic and unforgettable bio-exorcist in "Beetlejuice". With the sequel "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" set to hit cinemas soon, fans eagerly await the return of stars Michael Keaton, Catherine O'Hara, and, notably, Winona Ryder, who reprises her role as Lydia Deetz.

In a recent interview for Esquire UK, Winona Ryder, now 52, delved into her past experiences following the release of the original film in 1988. Despite the movie's success, Winona, then a high school student, found herself ostracized rather than celebrated by her peers.

"I remember thinking that it was going to, like, change my status, and it made it worse," she confessed. "They were like, 'You're a witch! You're a freak!' It amplified it. I was like, 'But I'm in a movie!'"

Ryder's portrayal of the goth-obsessed teen Lydia was intensely personal. She revealed, "I was very much like Lydia. They didn't have to do much with me. My brother found a picture of me taken like a month before that audition. I'd dyed my hair blue-black, I had these crazy short bangs, and I dressed in black."

Despite the challenging aftermath, Ryder recalls her time on the set of "Beetlejuice" fondly. She mentioned how Michael Keaton and Catherine O'Hara were exceptionally kind and inclusive, making her feel a unique sense of collaboration for the first time.

"Michael [Keaton] was so gentle with me. And Catherine [O'Hara]. They always included me. They were so kind and so thoughtful. It was unique because as a kid actor you don't always get that. It's about the adults."

The sequel, which reunites the three actors and director Tim Burton, brings a new chapter where Lydia, now a mother to a teenage daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega), faces a new "Beetle" ordeal brought upon by her daughter. The film also stars new faces like Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe.

Winona Ryder's recent resurgence is owed significantly to her stellar role as Joyce Byers in "Stranger Things," which has helped revitalize her career. Reflecting on this journey from being an outcast in her adolescence to a revitalized figure in Hollywood, her story resonates deeply with many who have faced similar challenges.

"Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" aims to captivate both old fans and new audiences alike when it is released in theaters on September 6. The anticipation suggests that, while the past had its struggles, Ryder's return to the Beetlejuice universe might just be the delightful mix of nostalgia and new life that fans are craving.