Original Beetlejuice Star Shares Theory on Why They Have Not Returned for Sequel

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice may be bringing back several key stars from the 1988 movie, but one star not returning is Geena Davis. Having played the central role of Barbara Maitland, who, along with husband Adam (Alec Baldwin), became the first to summon Michael Keaton’s mischievous ghost, it would not have been out of the question for the pair to make an appearance in the belated sequel. However, this is not the case, and Davis has her own theory on why she is not returning.

Although Michael Keaton is stepping back into the titular role of Betelgeuse, Davis shared her thoughts on why she is not in the sequel with ET Online, and it all comes down to how she thinks things work in the afterlife. She said:

“No, I’m not. I’m not in the remake. Oh, you were expecting that I would be? Yeah, no, you know what? Because my theory is that ghosts don’t age… Not that I have. Our characters were stuck the way they looked when they died forever, so it’s been a while, it’s been a minute.”

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Release Date

September 6, 2024

Director

Tim Burton

Studio

KatzSmith Productions, Plan B Entertainment, Tim Burton Productions

Davis’ theory does explain a real-life reason for the actress being missing from the sequel. However, it doesn’t explain why the couple have left behind the Deetz family after seemingly settling in the house by the end of the first movie, but the fate of the Maitlands could be explained within the movie itself. Either way, there seems to be plenty going on in the sequel to allow for the lack of the Maitlands’ presence.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Recently Wowed CinemaCon

Although we are still several months away from the release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the first teaser last month was followed by a further preview at this year’s CinemaCon. As per ScreenRant, the new footage delivered a better look at Keaton’s Betelgeuse, as well as Monica Bellucci as his zombified wife. According to the report, the footage played out like this.

“The footage features Ryder’s Lydia and Ortega’s Astrid attending a funeral before it cuts to Lydia summoning Beetlejuice in an attic. Keaton’s character then rises out of the miniature town as featured in the original film. The footage features a first look at Monica Bellucci’s character as Beetlejuice’s zombified wife, with Lydia asking, “The living and the dead – can they coexist?” The clip ends with a reveal of Justin Theroux’s character and Beetlejuice scaring him.”

It is likely that some of this footage will make up the first full trailer for the movie, which will be released in the coming months and will play ahead of many of the summer’s blockbuster movies. The film is already one of the most anticipated movies of the year, and that hype is only likely to grow as more details are revealed.

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6 Famous Actors Who Almost Played Beetlejuice

Michael Keaton will always be the iconic face behind Beetlejuice, but here are six other actors who almost took on the memorable role.

Directed by Tim Burton, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice sees Keaton reuniting with Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz and Catherine O’Hara as Delia Deetz. Newcomers to the franchise include Jenna Ortega as Astrid Deetz, Monica Bellucci as Betelgeuse’s wife, and Willem Dafoe as a ghost detective.