Beetlejuice 2 Embraces the Hilarious Charm of the Original Movie's Best Gag
Prepare for laughter as Beetlejuice 2 revives a beloved comedic moment from the classic film.
Michael Keaton's recent comments about Beetlejuice 2 reveal that the long-awaited sequel is reviving a hilarious gag from the original movie and making it even better. Set to premiere in theaters on September 6, 2024, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is bringing back the iconic characters from Tim Burton's 1988 horror-comedy, Beetlejuice, after 36 years. Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara will reprise their roles as Beetlejuice, Lydia Deetz, and Delia Deetz, while Tim Burton's sequel will also revive some of the original film's classic afterlife jokes.
When discussing his return to the titular character with People after over three decades, Michael Keaton shared that he insisted on practical effects over CGI for Beetlejuice 2. Keaton and Burton were in agreement early on about the focus on practical effects for the sequel. Keaton even mentioned a specific scene from the upcoming film, hinting at a callback to a gag from the original Beetlejuice ending. This teaser suggests that the sequel is building up the joke for his character.
Beetlejuice 2 Is Reviving The Original Movie's Shrunken Head Gag (& Making It Way More Extreme)
Harry the Hunter in Beetlejuice - Beetlejuice 2 Is Reviving The Original Movie's Shrunken Head Gag (& Making It Way More Extreme)
Keaton prefers practical effects over CGI because he finds it more enjoyable to see someone physically manipulating props on set. In the movie Beetlejuice, the concept of characters with shrunken heads was a memorable gag. For example, Harry the Hunter had a shrunken head in the Neitherworld waiting room. Beetlejuice himself faced a similar fate after angering the Witch Doctor ghost.
You can watch Beetlejuice (1988) on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and Fandango at Home through rental or purchase options.
The new tease for Beetlejuice 2 suggests that there will be an entire room dedicated to ghosts with shrunken heads. This is a great continuation of the original horror-comedy's ending gag.
In the sequel, it is expected that Beetlejuice will still have a shrunken head, and it will also introduce other ghosts with the same condition. This reveals that the Witch Doctor has shrunk the heads of more ghosts than just Beetlejuice and Harry the Hunter, leading to an entire room in the Neitherworld being dedicated to them.
The Shrunken Head Room Tease Is Great News For Beetlejuice's Afterlife Worldbuilding
Barbara and Adam Maitland (Geena Davis & Alec Baldwin) sitting in Juno's office with Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice in the middle - The Shrunken Head Room Tease Is Great News For Beetlejuice's Afterlife Worldbuilding
Michael Keaton's recent hint about a shrunken head room in Beetlejuice 2 suggests that the sequel will delve deeper into the afterlife's realm. In the original movie from 1988, Adam and Barbara ventured into the Neitherworld to meet their caseworker, Juno. They glimpsed the waiting room, her office, the reception area, and a room for "lost souls." Keaton's revelation about the shrunken head room, along with Willem Dafoe's role as an afterlife detective, promises an exciting expansion of the spooky world in Beetlejuice 2.
Editor's P/S:
Michael Keaton's comments about the upcoming "Beetlejuice 2" have ignited excitement among fans of the original classic. The revelation that the sequel will revive the hilarious shrunken head gag from the 1988 film is a testament to the filmmakers' commitment to honoring the original while adding new elements to the story. The idea of an entire room dedicated to ghosts with shrunken heads is both intriguing and humorous, promising to expand upon the afterlife worldbuilding established in the first movie.
Keaton's emphasis on practical effects over CGI is also a welcome sign. The physical manipulation of props on set adds a tangible and immersive element to the film, making the characters and their interactions feel more authentic. The attention to detail in recreating the shrunken head gag suggests that the sequel will pay homage to the original while also introducing innovative and entertaining twists.
