With a buzz of excitement enveloping the forthcoming sequel to Tim Burton’s iconic “Beetlejuice,” there are a few surprising turns the film seems to be taking. Notably, while we’re thrilled to hear that the movie’s central narrative will delve deep into family themes, the absence of two pivotal characters from the 1988 original leaves us scratching our heads.
The Return of Haunting Favorites
The air is thick with nostalgia and anticipation as “Beetlejuice 2” is set to hit the theaters on September 6, 2024. After a staggering 35-year wait, fans are finally getting a sequel to the horror-comedy classic. Along with introducing new faces like Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe, and Justin Theroux, the film is warmly welcoming back beloved characters portrayed by Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara.
However, while the plot remains shrouded in mystery, cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos gave fans a hint, revealing, “at its heart, Beetlejuice 2 is a story about family.” The movie seems to be centered on the complexities of keeping the Deetz family intact over the tumultuous three decades since the original’s eerie incidents.
The Maitlands: Missing in Action
While the family-centric angle should ideally shed light on the journey of Lydia Deetz, brilliantly reprised by Winona Ryder, and her daughter (played by Jenna Ortega), the conspicuous absence of two seminal characters is puzzling. The original “Beetlejuice” saw Adam and Barbara Maitland, the endearing ghostly couple, forming a profound bond with Lydia. Their relationship was the very essence of found family, providing Lydia with the parental figures she so desperately needed.
The two ghosts, portrayed by the dynamic duo Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin, were the beating heart of the original story. Their conspicuous absence from the sequel, especially given its focus on family ties, is both surprising and hard to fathom. Geena Davis has openly mentioned her non-involvement in the sequel, leaving fans disheartened.
Considering the Maitlands are bound to their house for 125 years after their demise, and with the return of the Maitland/Deetz home hinted in set photos, the narrative discrepancy widens.
Speculations and Possible Explanations
Addressing the absence of such iconic characters, especially when their home makes a reappearance, is no easy feat. One theory suggests that the Maitlands might be trapped in the Neitherworld’s notoriously long waiting room. As we saw in the original, even a short stint in the Neitherworld could span months in the living world. This would conveniently explain their absence throughout the sequel.
Another somber theory points towards a possible accidental exorcism of the Maitlands. Given that they almost vanished in the original film due to a botched séance-turned-exorcism, history might have tragically repeated itself.
Regardless of the reasons behind their absence, “Beetlejuice 2” owes its audience a convincing explanation, especially when the story revolves around the essence of family.
