As the echoes of “Day-O” continue to resonate through the halls of cinematic history, the ghost with the most, Beetlejuice, prepares to once again leap off the silver screen and into the hearts of movie-goers. The upcoming sequel, titled “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” is set to arrive in theaters on September 6, 2024, marking a return to the enchantingly gothic universe created by Tim Burton over three decades ago.
The fresh Beetlejuice 2 trailer and Michael Keaton’s comeback absolutely had fans belting out “Day-O.” Nevertheless, fans yearning for a reunion with Geena Davis’ Barbara Maitland in the upcoming sequel will be let down. Speaking at CinemaCon 2024, where she was honored with the Viola Davis Trailblazer Award, Davis made it clear she won’t be making a comeback for the new installment. While fans are disappointed by the announcement, her rationale for staying away from the world of the undead is quite logical.
Despite the letdown, the anticipation for Beetlejuice 2 remains high, particularly among aficionados of Burton’s distinctive cinematic style. While Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara are set to reprise their roles, Davis shared her perspective on her absence from the sequel in a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight. She humorously remarked that ghosts don’t age, hinting at her character’s timeless nature and leaving fans to ponder the intricacies of the supernatural world depicted in Burton’s imaginative universe.
In the original film, Davis and Alec Baldwin played pivotal roles as Barbara and Adam Maitland, the spectral inhabitants of the house inhabited by Lydia and Delia Deetz, portrayed by Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara, respectively. The narrative took a twist when the Maitlands, seeking to reclaim their home, reluctantly enlisted the help of Michael Keaton’s bio-exorcist, leading to a series of uproarious events.
Despite the original film concluding with the Maitlands and the Deetzes finding a harmonious coexistence, Davis has now confirmed that she and Baldwin’s characters will not be featured in the long-awaited sequel, more than 35 years in the making. It remains to be seen how the sequel will address their absence.
The Thelma & Louise star believes her absence from the sequel stems from the fact that, in her view, it wouldn’t be plausible for her character to return. She elaborated, stating: “Our characters were stuck the way they looked when they died forever, so it’s been a while, it’s been a minute.”
Despite her lack of involvement in Beetlejuice 2, Davis has remained occupied, notably receiving the Viola Davis Trailblazer Award. Reflecting on the honor, she expressed her appreciation, remarking: “It’s an incredible honor, you know, such an enormous fan of hers, and she really is a phenomenal trailblazer. It means the world to me and also I’m really grateful.”
Relevant articles:
– I’m Bummed Beetlejuice 2 Won’t Include Geena Davis, But Her ‘Theory’ For Why That Is Makes A Lot Of Sense, yahoo.com
– ‘Beetlejuice 2’ News, Release Date, Cast, cosmopolitan.com
– Are Alec Baldwin & Geena Davis Returning For Beetlejuice 2?, imdb.com
– Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024), imdb.com