Summary
Tim Burton's motivation for making Beetlejuice 2 was driven by his curiosity about what happened to the Deetz family and the other characters after 35 years.
Instead of banking on the original film's popularity, Burton aimed for a more profound bond with the characters and their ongoing stories in the sequel.
Beetlejuice 2 will bring in fresh faces, like Lydia's daughter, to delve into their role within the storyline and unravel the mysteries of their whereabouts after 35 years.
Tim Burton elaborates on the line of inquiry that compelled him to create Beetlejuice 2. Releasing more than three decades after the original classic in 1988, Beetlejuice 2 reintroduces the audience to the Deetz family's world, now starring Lydia's daughter and other fresh characters. As the fans of the first movie have developed strong connections with the enigmatic green-haired spirit summoned by uttering "Beetlejuice!" three times, the sequel has been highly anticipated.
Speaking to the British Film Institute, Burton discloses the six pressing questions that enticed him to return for Beetlejuice 2. After pondering over these same inquiries for years, he became intrigued to revisit the universe he had originally crafted. One of the questions Burton posed to himself was: "What happened to the Deetz family?" Additionally, he wondered about the fate of Catherine and Charles. Review the complete quote from Burton below.
I didn't bother watching the first movie when working on this one because I didn't think it would be helpful. For me, it was more like a project where the main focus, after 35 years, was on what happened to Lydia and the Deetz family. I wanted to know what became of them, what happened to the people who were alive. It intrigued me to see how people's lives played out over time, how they changed. I was curious, what the hell happened to those individuals?
What about Catherine? And Charles? That's what truly captivates me. That's what grounds the story for me. Where are these characters now, after 35 years?
How Beetlejuice 2 Will Answer These Questions
Beetlejuice's sequel was not solely driven by its staying power, according to Burton. Instead, he delved into a deeper connection with the characters and their life's progression, choosing to disregard the first movie. While not much about Beetlejuice 2's storyline has been disclosed, Burton's ability to pose introspective questions to his characters ensures a narrative driven by their development.
In order to explore the question of what happens to people as time passes, Beetlejuice 2 introduces new characters to its cast. One significant addition is Lydia Deetz's (played by Winona Ryder) daughter, portrayed by Jenna Ortega. Ortega is expected to play a pivotal role in the sequel's plot. Moreover, the film includes a wife for Beetlejuice, portrayed by Monica Bellucci.
It is uncertain how these characters will be integrated into the storyline of Beetlejuice 2, but their presence aims to address Burton's query of "What happened to these individuals after 35 years?" With the passing of time, Beetlejuice 2 will provide viewers with the opportunity to nostalgically revisit their beloved Beetlejuice characters while also introducing new characters into the Deetz universe.