As a long-time fan of Beetlejuice and the quirky world it creates, I must admit that the idea of Lydia and Beetlejuice as a bickering couple akin to George and Martha from “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” is quite intriguing. It’s not just my affection for the original movie or its creators that makes me dream of this scenario, but rather the potential depth and complexity it could bring to their characters.
Contains spoilers for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”
By the close of 1988’s film “Beetlejuice,” it was evident that a fresh, captivating voice was arising in Hollywood – none other than director Tim Burton. The movie boasted an unusual, eerie atmosphere while remaining appealing to the public, and it spawned cherished new figures like Beetlejuice himself (played by Michael Keaton). Burton continued to share his distinctive blend of German Expressionism and surrealism with audiences through projects ranging from his “Batman” films to “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” However, speculation arose as to whether a revisit to the realm of “Beetlejuice” would ever transpire.
36 years after the initial tale unfolds, we finally get our resolution echoing “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”. The movie continues with many familiar faces decades later: Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) is now a mother to Astrid (Jenna Ortega), who wishes to distance herself from Lydia. Simultaneously, the spectral Beetlejuice remains an issue, grappling with personal troubles such as his vengeful ex-wife Delores (Monica Belluci), who aims to drain Beetlejuice’s soul in retaliation for her death on Earth.
In other words, throughout the movie, there’s a lot of dark humor, some animated scenes using stop-motion, and an unexpected dose of emotion. So, what can we expect by the end of “Beetlejuice”? Here’s what you should keep in mind for a potential third installment – which might very well be named “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”.
What you need to remember about the plot of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
After the demise of Charles Deetz (portrayed by Jeffrey Jones in the initial movie), Lydia and her mom Delia set out to retrieve Astrid from boarding school. Astrid has been distanced from her mother, as she doubts her mom’s genuine ability to connect with the deceased on her TV show, “Ghost House,” because she allegedly hasn’t communicated with her late husband Richard (played by Santiago Cabrera). However, Lydia truly possesses these powers, and lately, she’s been troubled by apparitions of Beetlejuice. Following the funeral, which transpired at their former residence in Winter River, Astrid goes for a bike ride and encounters a young man named Jeremy (Arthur Conti), developing a romantic connection with him.
In the spiritual realm, Delores regains her form following her imprisonment, intending to exact revenge on Beetlejuice, whom she had wedded with a plan to murder him as part of a death cult. Tragically, Beetlejuice ended her life first by administering poison. As a soul-sucking entity, Delores can still claim lives, even those that have already ceased. Wolf Jackson, formerly an actor and now a detective, notices the escalating body count and warns Beetlejuice that his ex is on a rampage, possibly with him in her sights.
It seems Jeremy is deceased but aims to exploit Astrid as a means to reincarnate himself, at the same time sending her to an eternal rest. In a bid to save Astrid from the afterlife, Lydia implores Beetlejuice for assistance. Remaining true to form, Beetlejuice consents — but only if Lydia promises to wed him. It appears some aspects of Beetlejuice’s character remain constant.
What happened at the end of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice?
In their attempt to prevent Astrid from boarding the Soul Train towards the Great Beyond, Lydia and a companion cross paths with Richard, who had always hoped they wouldn’t grow apart. Keeping his promise, Beetlejuice stops Jeremy from taking Astrid’s life, banishing him directly to Hell instead. Upon their return to the world of the living, Lydia and Astrid hasten to a church for Lydia to wed her boyfriend Rory (played by Justin Theroux). However, Beetlejuice crashes the wedding ceremony, compelling Rory to confess that his affection for Lydia was initially motivated by her wealth.
Following an impressive musical performance using “MacArthur Park” by Richard Harris, Beetlejuice is about to marry Lydia when chaos ensues. Delores abruptly crashes the wedding, and simultaneously, Wolf Jackson and his officers appear. However, it’s Astrid who takes swift action to resolve the situation. She opens a portal to one of Saturn’s moons, allowing a sandworm to burst into the church and consume both Delores and Rory. Astrid also intervenes to prevent Lydia from going through with the wedding, explaining that Beetlejuice breached the terms of his contract, making it invalid. With Delia having died earlier due to snakebites she mistakenly believed were harmless, Wolf escorts her back to the afterlife.
In the finale of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”, Lydia decides to step down from her show and spends more quality time with Astrid. The story then cuts to a quick succession of scenes showing them touring Dracula’s castle, Astrid getting married, and Astrid giving birth – only to find out that the baby is actually Beetlejuice’s. However, Lydia realizes it was all just a dream when she wakes up next to Beetlejuice. But upon waking again, she finds herself alone.
What’s the significance of MacArthur Park during the wedding?
In the sequel to “Beetlejuice”, they often revisit elements from the original film, and this is certainly true for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”. At Charles’ funeral, a mournful rendition of “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” by Harry Belafonte is sung by a children’s choir. This is a nod to one of the most iconic scenes in the 1988 movie, where Beetlejuice, the central character, makes everyone at a dinner party sing this very song after possessing them. Interestingly, Belafonte himself appreciated hearing his song used in “Beetlejuice”, and viewers will likely enjoy this nostalgic reference.
Instead of saying “But ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ tries to do something even bigger later on,” you could rephrase it as “Later, ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ plans something even more grand.” Before Lydia and Beetlejuice were set to marry, he once again took control of everyone, causing them to sing “MacArthur Park” by Richard Harris. This performance is accompanied by intricate choreography, and the song’s lyrics align with visual imagery on screen: as they sing “All the sweet, green icing flowing down / Someone left the cake out in the rain,” we witness a massive cake melting on screen.
The tune seems designed to offer whimsical amusement, reinforcing the dreamlike atmosphere of the movie. Yet, if one delves deeper, Jimmy Webb, the songwriter of “MacArthur Park,” explained its cake line this way: “I was expressing that something valuable, something treasured, had been neglected and lost, and can never be recovered again.” This sentiment might resonate with Lydia’s irretrievable marriage to Richard. As for her romantic prospects, they appear complex, possibly involving Beetlejuice or Rory, but she opts to concentrate on being a nurturing mother to Astrid moving forward.
Does Beetlejuice Beetlejuice have a post-credits scene?
In the movie “Beetlejuice,” which runs for a swift 105 minutes, you won’t feel pressed to leave immediately once it ends to dash off to the bathroom. This is because there are no additional scenes following the credits. So, feel free to rise from your seat whenever you like.
At the start of the credits, there’s a little fun to be found. Each actor gets a chance to shine as their names appear on screen, and even Beetlejuice’s team members, each with a unique first name, get their moment in the limelight. Notably, Bob, who serves as Beetlejuice’s right-hand man throughout the movie, steals the show with an extended spotlight, making it all the more enjoyable.
In the movie “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice,” Bob maintains a strong presence for most of the film, but his character is tragically cut short when Delores removes his soul. Many viewers may recall Bob’s death as one of the saddest in 2024 cinema. Rest In Peace, Bob. You were more than deserving of a better world.
What’s the overarching theme of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice?
In the film “Beetlejuice Beetlejeebe,” many viewers are drawn to the title character’s humorous exploits, but for more discerning eyes, there are profound themes concerning parents and their relationships with their children. One aspect of “Beetlejuice” that might go unnoticed by younger viewers is its exploration of creating a family from diverse elements, as Delia endeavors to be a loving stepmother to Lydia while Lydia forms bonds with the spirits of Adam and Barbara Maitland (portrayed by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis). The movie delves deeper into this theme by examining the transformation of a defiant teenager into a mother who, ironically, embodies much of what she once rebelled against.
The relationship between Lydia and Astrid was central for Tim Burton in doing the sequel. He told Entertainment Weekly, “I so identified with the Lydia character, but then you get to all these years later, and you take your own journey, going from cool teenager to lame adult, back and forth again.”
In simpler terms, Lydia’s new TV show, where she uses her alleged paranormal abilities to make money, has caused a rift between her and Astrid. This gap widens when Lydia considers marrying Rory, and some might say it’s deeper than the one between Delia and Astrid. It’s important to note that “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” suggests that tension between mothers and daughters is common but may improve with time. In this movie, Lydia seems to have a better relationship with Delia, and there appears to be potential for improvement in Lydia and Astrid’s relationship in the future.
Were there any alternate ideas for the story?
In the original concept for “Beetlejuice,” Lydia was meant to die in a fire and join the Maitlands in the afterlife, creating a much more somber ending compared to the dance number we eventually saw. This darker conclusion might have dampened the movie’s spirit and reduced interest in a sequel. However, it’s unclear if any other endings were considered for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” but numerous alternative plot ideas have been suggested throughout the years.
Notably, following the triumph of “Beetlejuice,” a concept emerged titled “Beetlejuice’s Hawaiian Vacation.” This idea aimed to blend Tim Burton’s distinctive dark style with the vibrant imagery typical of beach party films. However, this plan was abandoned when Burton became engrossed in his “Batman” projects. Yet, it wasn’t the only concept; screenwriter Warren Skaaren was also working on a sequel script titled “Beetlejuice Finds Love.” In this storyline, Beetlejuice assists a man who dies after proposing to his girlfriend, using the situation as an opportunity for Beetlejuice to return to the mortal world. Regrettably, Skaaren passed away in 1990 before completing the script.
Apart from discussing potential ideas for a sequel with Entertainment Weekly, Burton mentioned another possibility, which he found intriguing due to his fondness for the movie ‘Dracula A.D. 1972.’ He suggested the title, “Beetlejuice 2024 A.D.” It turns out that Burton’s idea might have been fulfilled in a roundabout way, as “2024 A.D.” is featured in the film’s title card.
Does Beetlejuice Beetlejuice retcon the original?
In my gaming world, as I delved deeper into the spooky realm of “Beetlejuice,” I found myself pondering over many mysteries, one being the cause of Beetlejuice’s original demise. To quench my curiosity, a thrilling flashback unfolded, showing us his intriguing bond with Delores. We discover that during the Black Plague, he was a grave robber, hinted in the first flick. Delores took him under her wing, they got hitched, but things took a darker turn when she, being part of a death cult, served him poison. In a twist of irony, Beetlejuice, realizing his own impending doom, ended up killing Delores instead. Unfortunately for him, it was too late; he met his demise as well, which seems to contradict his later role as a civil servant in the afterlife.
In the 1988 movie Beetlejuice, a character named Otho humorously suggests that people who commit suicide become civil servants in the afterlife. This idea is supported by the self-inflicted injuries seen on characters like Juno and Miss Argentina, who are portrayed as civil servants. Since Beetlejuice initially works with Juno before transitioning to a freelance bio-exorcist, it seems possible that he too may have taken his own life. However, it’s important to note that Delores eventually poisons him instead, making the death more accurately described as murder.
It’s possible that the one controlling the afterlife misunderstands Beetlejuice drinking poison as a suicide attempt due to bureaucratic errors happening frequently. Yet, Beetlejuice often does his own thing, so he might work for Juno just for fun. The solution to this dilemma? Avoid overthinking it too much.
Why are certain characters missing?
In the movie “Beetlejuice,” it’s noticeable that Adam and Barbara Maitland, who were central characters in the original film, are not present. The Deetzes, initially depicted as uninvited guests in the house, take center stage for a while. However, the Maitlands die at the beginning of the movie and start haunting their home under Juno’s instruction that they must stay there for 125 years. Yet, only 36 years have elapsed between “Beetlejuice” and its sequel, leading one to wonder why they aren’t featured in the follow-up film.
In the newly released film, Lydia suggests that the Maitlands discovered an exception or a clever way out, enabling them to depart from their house prematurely. This revelation accounts for Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis not appearing in the movie. Furthermore, it hints at Astrid locating a similar loophole to release Lydia from marrying Beetlejuice once he breaches his agreement. Although this theory within the storyline is reasonable, Davis has expressed her own viewpoint that she was absent due to growing older and ghosts are not meant to age in the movie’s universe.
Furthermore, there are several “Beetlejuice” actors who have sadly passed away that you might not be aware of. Sylvia Sidney, the actress who played Juno, died in 1999, while Glenn Shadix, known for his role as interior designer Otho, passed away in 2010. To avoid recasting Charles Deetz, who was originally played by Jeffrey Jones, the movie opted not to do so after Jones’ arrest in 2002 on charges of soliciting a minor and possessing child pornography. Consequently, Charles appears only in a stop-motion animation sequence, and when he’s in the afterlife, his upper body is missing following a shark attack.
What has Winona Ryder said about the sequel?
As “Beetlejuice” soared in popularity, it sparked discussions about a follow-up. Although screenwriters developed multiple scripts, Winona Ryder consistently had her vision for the series’ direction. On the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, she expressed her dream for Lydia’s conclusion: “I always wished for Lydia to end up with Beetlejuice,” she shared excitedly. “It might sound strange, but that was my recurring suggestion to Tim.”
In the original “Beetlejuice,” Lydia was too young, making the notion of her marrying a demon somewhat uncomfortable. But since she’s grown up now, the idea of her remarrying Beetlejuice in the sequel is less unsettling. Ryder expressed, “I can’t help but wonder if it’s because I adore the movie, Michael [Keaton], and Tim [Burton] that I have this fantasy they’ll end up together as a quarrelsome pair, like George and Martha from ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?'”
Ryder’s concept might resemble the relationship between Lydia and Beetlejuice from the 1989 “Beetlejuice” animated series, in which they are depicted as friends. In the show, Beetlejuice does annoy Lydia at times, but their interactions are generally friendly, unlike Lydia’s panic attacks whenever she encounters even a small trace of Beetlejuice’s presence.
What the end of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice could mean for Beetlejuice 3
The phrase “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” seems poised for success. Preliminary estimates indicate that the sequel could earn between $80 and $110 million in its debut domestic weekend, potentially ranking it among the top opening weekends of 2024. Should it continue to amass earnings, it’s likely that Warner Bros. would consider leveraging this intellectual property sooner rather than waiting another 36 years.
In my perspective as an enthusiast, Lydia’s dreamy finale in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” hints at the lingering presence of the demon within her. Despite successfully dodging marriage with him once more, his haunting persists in the afterlife. One could envision a circumstance where he breaks free again, introducing a new layer of family drama.
Tim Burton expressed some reservations about a possible “Beetlejuice 3” to The Hollywood Reporter, stating, “Given that the same time frame continues, I’ll be nearly a century old. So possibly, but I’m skeptical.” If production starts earlier, it remains uncertain where a sequel could head. However, we might eventually see “Beetlejuice Takes Hawaii” as a long-awaited development, with Astrid participating in a surfing contest to explore the world, much like she had always wanted to do with her father.
If you’re facing difficulties or in a crisis yourself, or if you suspect someone else might be, please reach out to the resources listed below for assistance:
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2024-09-06 03:31