Beetlejuice Beetlejuice writers explain the sequel’s big musical number

As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for Tim Burton’s quirky and captivating universe, I must confess that “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” has managed to stir my imagination once again. The sequel’s audacious musical sequence, featuring the seven-and-a-half minutes of Richard Harris’ “MacArthur Park,” is nothing short of a masterstroke.


Writers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar unveiled the origin story behind the grand musical number in the Tim Burton-directed sequel of Beetlejuice.

Following the success of the ‘Day-O’ scene as the standout moment in the first film, it was only natural to assume that the sequel would also feature a large musical and dance sequence.

In their ambitious approach, the movie creators opted for a lengthy play of Richard Harris’ hit song “MacArthur Park,” which is famously known for its poignant lyric: “Someone forgot to put the cake in the rain, I can hardly bear it, For it was months and weeks he labored at that recipe, And I’ll never get to savor it again.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice writers explain the sequel's big musical number

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the screenwriting team shared their process of incorporating the song into the movie’s narrative.

What can surpass ‘Day-O’ was the question posed by Gough. The movie had concluded with a wedding and various other events, yet they were seeking something additional.

Apart from you, Tim had also been searching for a suitable song. He mentioned that he has a jukebox in his kitchen and called to share: “I’ve been playing ‘MacArthur Park’, and it won’t leave my mind. I believe this could be the right tune for us.

We expanded the climactic scene by making use of a seven-and-a-half minute song from Richard Harris, incorporating its unique beats and movements to construct the overall layout of that particular sequence.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice writers explain the sequel's big musical number

Millar added that the song is “nuts” and that was “exactly why it’s perfect”.

Millar stated that they replayed it and found the song incredibly eccentric and fitting for a Beetlejuice movie. The tune has numerous twists, including a peculiar bridge featuring an orchestral number, which syncs perfectly when Willem Dafoe emerges from the crypt alongside the Ghoul squad.

As a gamer, I stumbled upon this captivating tune with various intriguing parts that could potentially enhance my gaming experience. However, it was quite lengthy. In an effort to shorten it, I suggested trimming it down, but the creator, Tim, disagreed, preferring to keep every bit of it. Looking back, I realize he was spot on – it’s like having all the powerful upgrades in a game; you might not need them all, but they make the adventure that much more epic!

The movie has been praised by critics, earning a respectable rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, its commercial success has outperformed projections significantly, raking in more at the box office within days than the initial film did during its entire run.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is out in cinemas now.

Read More

2024-09-14 20:48

Previous post LEGO Star Wars: The origins of Jedi Bob