Beetlejuice 2: New Story Developments Highlight Absurdity of Original Characters' Disappearance
The absence of two key characters becomes even more baffling in the latest updates.
Exciting news for fans of Beetlejuice 2 as teases about the long-awaited sequel's story have been revealed. The sequel, officially titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, is set to hit theaters on September 6, 2024, after 35 years of anticipation. The movie will feature new faces like Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe, and Justin Theroux, alongside original cast members Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara.
While many details of the upcoming sequel's storyline remain a mystery, cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos has hinted that family themes will play a significant role. Zambarloukos described Beetlejuice 2 as a story centered around family, delving into the complexities of keeping the Deetz family together over the past three decades following the strange events of the first film. This family-focused theme sets the stage for the story of Winona Ryder's Lydia Deetz and her daughter, played by Jenna Ortega, but also raises questions about the absence of two beloved characters.
Beetlejuice 2's Family Themes Make Adam & Barbara's Absences More Bizarre
Geena Davis And Alec Baldwin's Characters Would Perfectly Fit The Story Of The Beetlejuice Sequel
Adam and Barbara in Beetlejuice - Geena Davis And Alec Baldwin's Characters Would Perfectly Fit The Story Of The Beetlejuice Sequel - Beetlejuice 2's Family Themes Make Adam & Barbara's Absences More Bizarre
Throughout the wild events of Beetlejuice , Adam and Barbara form a close familial bond with Winona Ryder’s goth teenager Lydia Deetz.
Charles Deetz is not the only main original character missing from Beetlejuice 2. Barbara and Adam Maitland, played by Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin, are also absent. In the 1988 film Beetlejuice, these two ghosts were the main protagonists. They died in the opening sequence and were tasked with haunting the Deetz family. Throughout the movie, they form a close bond with Winona Ryder's character, Lydia Deetz, a goth teenager.
The original Beetlejuice movie establishes Barbara and Adam as Lydia's surrogate parents, as she has an unaffectionate relationship with her real parents, Charles and Delia. In return, Lydia becomes the ghosts' surrogate child, especially since the film implies that the Maitlands couldn't have children of their own. It is interesting to note that in the original ending of Beetlejuice, Lydia, Adam, and Barbara form their own family. Therefore, it is surprising that the two ghosts will not be returning for Beetlejuice 2's family-centric story.
How Beetlejuice 2 Can Still Explain Adam & Barbara Not Returning
Geena Davis previously mentioned that she will not be involved in Beetlejuice 2, which was disappointing news for fans hoping to see the beloved characters return. The Maitlands are supposed to remain in their house for 125 years after death, and set photos have hinted at the return of the iconic Maitland/Deetz home. The sequel is said to focus on family, making it challenging to understand why Adam and Barbara are missing from Beetlejuice 2.
There Are Several Possible Explanations For Geena Davis And Alec Baldwin's Beetlejuice 2 Absence
Beetlejuice Adam and Barbara Maitland - There Are Several Possible Explanations For Geena Davis And Alec Baldwin's Beetlejuice 2 Absence - How Beetlejuice 2 Can Still Explain Adam & Barbara Not Returning
It would be challenging to exclude Adam and Barbara from a story that revolves around Lydia Deetz's family and her journey as a mother of a teenager.
If the Deetz/Maitland home is featured in Beetlejuice 2, the absence of Barbara and Adam becomes more complex to explain. Since the ghostly couple is only 35 years into the afterlife, they still have 90 years left in their house. One of the few reasonable explanations for Adam and Barbara's absence during the events of Beetlejuice 2 could be that they are in the Neitherworld waiting room.
The Maitlands' first visit to the afterlife office was a shocker - they found out that the wait times there could feel like forever. Even a short wait in the Neitherworld could mean months passing in the world of the living. That means if Barbara and Adam are still stuck in the waiting room, they might be missing for the whole Beetlejuice 2 movie.
Another worrisome possibility is that the ghosts got accidentally exorcised. Remember how Otho almost made them vanish with an exorcism instead of a séance in Beetlejuice? It could have happened again in the last 30 years. It wouldn't make sense to leave out Adam and Barbara from a story that focuses on Lydia Deetz's family and her teen life. So, Beetlejuice 2 needs to come up with a good reason for their disappearance within the story.
Editor's P/S:
The upcoming sequel to "Beetlejuice" promises an intriguing exploration of family themes, hinting at a heartwarming story centered around Lydia Deetz and her daughter. However, the absence of beloved characters Adam and Barbara Maitland, played by Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin, raises questions about the film's narrative choices. Their close bond with Lydia in the original film suggests they would have been integral to a family-focused plot.
The article speculates on possible explanations for their absence, such as being stuck in the Neitherworld or accidentally exorcised. While these ideas provide potential plot points, it's disappointing to imagine a "Beetlejuice" sequel without the iconic Maitland ghosts. Their presence would have added depth and emotional resonance to the story, making their absence a missed opportunity to fully embrace the film's family themes.
