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- Making the Ghostbusters Sing and Dance
- Creating a New Version 10 Years Later
- Can Beetlejuice and Ghostbusters Work on the Big Screen?
As a lifelong fan of both the Ghostbusters and Beetlejuice franchises, I’ve always wondered about the potential of these two iconic properties sharing the silver screen. The crossover performances at Universal Studios have provided a glimpse into the possibilities, but it’s the spirit of their collaboration that truly excites me.
The spectacle unfolded grandly in live-action, a sight worth witnessing. A marvel to behold indeed. Regrettably, it’s now just a fragment of history, but at least we have “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice” right? After 36 years, cinema-goers were finally treated to the iconic (and mischievous) name on the big screen again. In addition to some fresh faces added to the storyline like Jenna Ortega and Justin Theroux, the Warner Brothers sequel was unquestionably a hit, ranking as the second-biggest opening weekend in September 2024. However, while Beetlejuice’s cinematic appearances are his most memorable adventures for the freelance poltergeist, there was a period when Universal Studios might have arranged an even grander event for the character by merging him with the “Ghostbusters”. This wasn’t just once, but twice!
Considering the circumstances, blending these two realms feels quite logical. After all, Beetlejuice is essentially a mischievous spirit, while Ghostbusters are renowned for capturing them. The initial collision of pop culture took place in 1991 with a skillfully arranged street performance titled Streetbusters. Regrettably, this spectacular event ceased to exist after just two years. However, it was reimagined in the early 2000s as Extreme Ghostbusters: The Great Fright Way. Let’s delve into the ’90s version first and understand how the stage for this showdown was carefully prepared.
Making the Ghostbusters Sing and Dance
In the original 1988 movie, you might recall that characters like Adam and Barbara took control of Delia and her colleagues. They delightfully enacted Henry Belafonte’s “Day-O” song from 1956. This time, however, it’s Beetlejuice who employs these special powers to entertain the Ghostbusters and divert them from destroying him. The most exciting part? Unique street performances (only available at Universal Studios Florida Theme Park) were captured on video by park visitors and can now be watched for free on YouTube.
At the event, attendees are welcome to exercise their rights by utilizing both IPs and a New York Public Library-themed backdrop. The festivities kick off as Beetlejuice leisurely wanders around, warmly welcoming guests with his unique style, and offering photo opportunities for those interested. Immersed in an atmosphere reminiscent of the early ’90s, the iconic Ecto-1 car makes a dramatic entrance, illuminating its lights and thundering down the street. The actor portraying Beetlejuice, specifically Ken Harrington here, subtly interacts with the audience, attempting to mingle unnoticed and add an extra layer of realism to the experience.
As a devoted cinephile, let me recount an unforgettable scene straight from the silver screen. The infamous specter, known for his mischief, attempts to deceive us once more by joining our group for a snapshot, even inviting a spectator – a father from the crowd. However, Egon Spengler, with his trusty PKE meter, swiftly detects the trickster. With the anticipation of the Universal Studios audience peaking, the Ghostbusters gear up to apprehend him using their proton packs. But before they could act, Beetlejuice seizes control over our minds and bodies, triggering an impromptu performance that transcends ordinary bounds. It wasn’t simply “Day-O” – it was a spectacle beyond comparison. To top it all off, the lovable Slimer made a surprise appearance on stage!
Creating a New Version 10 Years Later
As a follower, I find myself witnessing an extraordinary transformation: The Ghostbusters, under some mysterious enchantment, have been transformed into a boy band! They perform captivating renditions of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “U Can’t Touch This”. But alas, the performance ends in laughter when Slimer, hidden within their station wagon, splatters his green goo on BJ, breaking the spell. Meanwhile, from a concealed position behind a library pillar, the Ghostbusters engage in a fierce battle with Beetlejuice. The air crackles with energy as proton packs sizzle, lights flash, and objects are sent flying. Despite their best efforts, it’s clear that even the mighty Ghostbusters can’t truly contain Beetlejuice, for if a sandworm couldn’t swallow him whole at the end of his film, what chance do we have?
In the year 2002, Universal Studios opted for a repeat performance, this time enlisting the crew from the animated show “Extreme Ghostbusters”. The closest glimpse into this event can be found on the YouTube channel “The Universal Vault”, where it appears that a comparable narrative unfolded in “Extreme Ghostbusters: The Great Fright Way”, albeit with some key variations. Unlike before, Slimer was absent and thus didn’t get to cover Beetlejuice in goo. Instead, an abundance of songs were integrated into the “Beetlejuice” and Ghostbusters crossover, featuring tracks such as Britney Spears’ “Oops, I Did It Again”, N’Sync’s “Bye Bye Bye”, and Smash Mouth’s “All Star”. These tunes were quite popular in the early 2000s, as you might have guessed.
Can Beetlejuice and Ghostbusters Work on the Big Screen?
From my perspective as a movie critic, it’s intriguing to note that unlike in their respective worlds, Beetlejuice and Ghostbusters never collide in a cinematic crossover. Instead, they both find an unexpected synergy – the idea of a music tour, fueled by Beetlejuice’s mischief-making prowess. He even encourages the audience to check out his line of quirky merchandise and visit a website to purchase their new band’s CDs.
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2024-09-19 02:31