Beetlejuice Beetlejuice writers explain the importance of not having too much Beetlejuice in the sequel: "He's literally the antagonist"

2024-08-30

EntertainmentMoviesHorror MoviesBeetlejuice BeetlejuiceBeetlejuice Beetlejuice writers explain the importance of not having too much Beetlejuice in the sequel: “He’s literally the antagonist"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

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(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice Beetlejuicewriters Alfred Gough and Miles Millar say the key to writing the long-awaited sequel was cutting back on the Bio-Exorcist’s screentime.

“I think that’s the trap that you could fall into,” Gough tellsSFX magazinein the new issue, which features Agatha All Along on the cover and hits newsstands on September 4. “You want to make Beetlejuice the lead, and he’s not. He’s literally the antagonist, an agent of chaos, who comes into the story. The movie’s called Beetlejuice, right? So, I think there is always that instinct to try to do that, but we very much tried to stay true to the original.”

“Tim is very conscious of that too,” Millar adds. “We just kept paring Beetlejuice back. He’s a great character to write, but a little goes a long way. So, when he is on screen, he makes a lot more impact. It’s really choosing the moments and really making those special.”

Catherine O’Hara reprises her role as Delia Deetz, with Justin Theroux as Rory, Monica Bellucci as Beetlejuice’s wife, and Willem Dafoe as ghost detective Wolf Jackson. Ahead of its theatrical release, the pic had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival,where it received a three-minute standing ovation. Our very ownBeetlejuice Beetlejuice reviewfrom there praised the “inventive and fun” sequel but also said that it wouldn’t live long in memory.

“When you meet him, I guess you could say Beetlejuice is in a bit of a midlife crisis,” says Gough. “He’s settled into middle age and middle management for the afterlife. He’s a guy trying to keep his bio-exorcist business going, but he’s lost a little of his excitement and passion for it, but through the course of this movie he regains his anarchic self. Part of his life has gotten dreary, but he’s never let go of his feelings for Lydia. She definitely made an impression.”

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Who’s been assembling a coven to walk the Witches' Road? It was #AgathaAllAlong, of course… Get the exclusive inside scoop on Marvel Television’s spooky series in the new issue of SFX, on sale 4 September… if you dare! pic.twitter.com/mclked8GCqAugust 29, 2024

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice releases on September 6. Read more inthe latest issue of SFX magazine, which features Agatha All Along on the cover and will be available from Wednesday, September 4.

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