Beetlejuice 2: The Return Of Michael Keaton And The Absence Of The Maitlands

Beetlejuice 2 is closing in on its release date, marking Michael Keaton’s return as Beetlejuice after 36 years. However, since the movie was announced, people have been wondering if Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin will return as the Maitlands or not. They both played the protagonists of Beetlejuice, where they die in an accident and are trapped in their house as ghosts. When a family moves into their house, they are forced to summon Beetlejuice to scare them away. Recently, Tim Burton confirmed that Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin will not return in Beetlejuice 2. Here’s why.

What Does Tim Burton Have to Say About This?

Tim Burton recently had a conversation with People, where he explained that he did not want to simply “tick boxes” by including the Maitlands in the new story. He expressed his desire to craft a narrative that focuses on the three generations of Deetz women, particularly Astrid, played by Jenna Ortega. Burton stated, “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. A sequel like this, it really had to do with the time. That was my hook into it, the three generations of mother, daughter, granddaughter. And that [would] be the nucleus of it.”

This reasoning reflects Burton's intention to explore new themes and character arcs rather than rehashing the original story. The absence of Baldwin and Davis can also be understood through the narrative lens that Burton aims to portray in this sequel.

Beetlejuice 2 Doesn’t Have The Maitlands For All Logical Reasons

For fans of the original movie, the absence of Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin as the Maitlands may seem disappointing. However, it makes logical sense within the storyline. The original film established that the Maitlands, being ghosts, cannot age, which presents a challenge for the actors returning to their roles decades later. If Baldwin and Davis were to reprise their roles, it would be hard to convince audiences that they haven’t aged since the first film.

While some may suggest utilizing digital de-aging technology, this would not only be expensive but could significantly impact the film's practical effects. Additionally, the Maitlands' story had a clear conclusion in the first Beetlejuice, where they decided to stay with the Deetz family, indicating that their narrative arc had resolved.

Moreover, the trailers for Beetlejuice 2 suggest that the Deetz family has left the house, further implying that the Maitlands would not have a reason to remain either. This subtle hint signals their permanent departure to the afterlife, demonstrating that their absence from the sequel aligns with the logical progression of the story.

As we approach the release date of September 6, 2024, anticipation builds for what new story Beetlejuice 2 will bring. Until then, fans can look forward to exploring the fresh narrative that Tim Burton has crafted, even without the original ghostly couple.