The real reason Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis weren’t in Beetlejuice 2

The real reason Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis weren't in Beetlejuice 2

As a gamer with a rich history of binging through countless films and sequels, I must say that the return of Beetlejuice after three decades has been nothing short of delightful. The way Tim Burton weaved a new narrative while staying true to the spirit of the original is a testament to his storytelling prowess.

The world has gone wild for Beetlejuice. 36 years after the original movie arrived in theaters, its long-awaited sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has made its presence felt across the globe. And what an impression it has made, performing so well that it has outgrossed its predecessor in its opening weekend alone. Yes, nearly four decades later, fans are still loving “the Juice”.

In the next chapter of this series, we find ourselves reuniting with some beloved characters. Michael Keaton once again takes on his role as the title character from the underworld, accompanied by Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara who also return to the screen. Given their significant roles in the first movie, it’s no surprise that Lydia and Delia Deetz are back for round two. However, there are a few notable characters missing this time around.

In the new Beetlejuice movie, you may have observed that Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis, who played Adam and Barbara Maitland in the original film, aren’t back. These characters were key figures in the underworld tale, but due to their demise, a chain of events unfolds that eventually brings Beetlejuice into play. Although they achieved a ‘Happy Ever After’ in the afterlife, they didn’t reappear in the sequel. Recently, director Tim Burton has shed light on why this is the case.

Tim Burton wanted Beetlejuice 2 to tell a new story

Movie director Tim Burton once again took the helm for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” and shared his intention to craft a unique narrative for the sequel, as distinct from the original storyline featuring the Maitland family. In an interview with People magazine, he expressed his desire to develop a particular type of sequel that didn’t center around the Maitlands.

I think the thing was for me I didn’t want to just tick any boxes. So even though they were such an amazing integral part of the first one, I was focusing on something else,

In the film, although the couple is frequently mentioned, the narrative significantly centers on the Deetz family women, particularly Lydia, who finds herself grappling with her bond with daughter Astrid, portrayed by Jenna Ortega from “The Addams Family” series. This development marks a significant turn of events as Lydia herself faced strained relationships with her parents in the original movie, thus gaining insight into how Delia might have felt during those challenging times.

Burton emphasized that this tale was the one he wished to concentrate on, explaining to People that the film primarily revolved around the theme of time and that the initial draw was “the three generations of mother, daughter, granddaughter”. He mentioned that if the sequel had been given the go-ahead in 1989, he wouldn’t have been able to tell this specific story.

In her conversation with Entertainment Tonight, Geena Davis herself highlighted an intriguing aspect of the upcoming 2024 sequel: “Ghosts, as it turns out, do not grow older.” This is certainly an interesting observation, Geena!

Hereafter in this piece lies information about Beetlejuice 2 that unveils the mystery of the Maitlands’ disappearance. For those curious about this aspect, continue reading to discover more.

What happened to Adam and Barbara Maitland in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice?

In the movie “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” it becomes apparent quite quickly that Adam and Barbara Maitland are noticeably absent. This is evident in the fact that their house is no longer being utilized, as well as the scarcity of mentions about them during the first act. Consequently, they appear to have no role in the film whatsoever. This is a significant departure from the original 1988 version where they served as the catalyst for all the chaos. However, their absence and the reason behind it are clarified later on in the story.

Lydia tells Astrid that the Maitlands discovered a way around some rules and left the house following her inquiry about the ghostly couple residing in the attic. Although the specifics of this loophole aren’t disclosed, it enabled them to depart from the haunted residence where they were stuck after their premature demise. The implication is that they found a sense of tranquility and moved on.

The real reason Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis weren't in Beetlejuice 2

In the follow-up story, a new idea emerged called the Soul Express, which transported souls who wished to leave Earth to their final resting place after death. It’s plausible that the Maitlands chose this option as a means to transition and find harmony together in the hereafter.

It seems highly improbable that the duo would abandon their house and relocate elsewhere on Earth without a second thought. Firstly, though being confined in one place was aggravating for them in the 1988 film, they held a deep affection for that house and eventually concurred with the Deetzes to preserve it as is, enabling them to reside there. Furthermore, they formed a connection with Lydia, assisting her with her studies, thereby positively impacting her life. It’s likely they wouldn’t have departed until Lydia was mature enough and prepared to bid farewell to Winter River.

In my gaming perspective, it seems like the developers were hinting at the characters, Adam and Barbara, finally seeking tranquility after all their struggles in the initial game. The ‘moving on loophole’ is intentionally left open to preserve the franchise’s storyline integrity, but considering what they went through, it’s only fair that they get some well-deserved peace.

May the Maitlands finally rest in peace.

2024-09-09 05:31