Beetlejuice 3 Must Fix Beetlejuice 2’s Oversaturated Villain Mess for a True Comeback!

Caution: This discussion includes SPOILERS for Beetlejuice 2 (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice). Despite the thrill surrounding the prospect of a Beetlejuice 3, there’s one significant aspect of Beetlejuice 2 that I fervently hope they reconsider in the upcoming trilogy. Tim Burton introduced us to his unique afterlife world back in 1988, and introduced us to the notorious bio-exorcist, brilliantly portrayed by Michael Keaton. Beetlejuice is considered the pinnacle of Burton’s filmmaking career, quickly becoming a timeless classic upon its release. Discussions about a Beetlejuice sequel took place years before it finally materialized three decades after the original. Unfortunately, Beetlejuice 2 faced one major criticism that I hope the next movie will address.

Following Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) being reunited with Winter River, the peculiar and eccentric host of Ghost House calls upon Beetlejuice for aid in dealing with the problematic Jeremy Frazier (Arthur Conti), under a mutually advantageous arrangement. The famous exclamation of “Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice!” propelled this film to break box office records and achieve massive commercial success, leading Warner Bros. executives to confirm that a third Beetlejuice installment is in development. Now, the direction of the next film is a topic of much fan discussion, and with the storyline of Beetlejuice 2 becoming quite complex, I hope Burton’s next project will streamline things and return to the simpler approach of the original 1988 movie.

Beetlejuice 2 Suffered From Using Three Different Villains

Beetlejuice 2’s Villains Didn’t Have Sufficient Scope For Exploration

One major issue with Burton’s highly anticipated sequel is that it crams three villains into a compact running time of just one hour and 45 minutes. While the trailers for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice focused on the trickster’s ex-wife, Delores (played by Monica Bellucci), when the film was released in September 2024, viewers were taken aback to discover that two additional villains had been introduced. Contrary to expectations, Beetlejuice does not play the role of a villain in this story, instead serving more as a disruptive element. As a result, Delores must share the screen with Jenna Ortega’s love interest, Jeremy, and Lydia’s fiancé, Rory (portrayed by Justin Theroux), to some extent.

Consequently, the three characters were not fully utilized, with Delores receiving the least attention. Her screen time was limited and her contributions to the main storyline of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” were minimal until the demon’s wedding ceremony with Lydia in one of the film’s closing scenes. Apart from setting up Beetlejuice’s backstory, Delores didn’t significantly influence the plot and could have been omitted without much impact. While Jeremy and Rory play larger roles in the overall story, the sequel received criticism for its somewhat disorganized plot, which may have been more cohesive if the stories were more interconnected.

Beetlejuice 3 Can Go Back To Its Roots

Tim Burton’s Upcoming Trilogy Should Go Back To Basics

Titleless “Beetlejuice 3” presents an ideal opportunity to re-explore the original recipe, stripping down the narrative to its essentials. This simplified structure seems most fitting for the franchise since it doesn’t necessitate a complex plot. The self-reliant characters are Tim Burton’s greatest asset, and given the ending of the last movie, “Beetlejuice 3” will probably revolve around Astrid and Lydia. In the previous film, Delia (Catherine O’Hara) moves on to the Netherworld, and considering their sandworm encounter in the last film, it’s probable that Rory and Delores won’t reappear, allowing “Beetlejuice 3” to begin anew.

Beetlejuice Film Year Production Budget Box Office (Worldwide) Rotten Tomatoes Critic/Audience Score
Beetlejuice 1988 $15 million $73,719,756 83%, 82%
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice 2024 $99-100 million $451,900,435 75%, 79%

To put it simply, the upcoming Beetlejuice film might not require an abundance of fresh characters to make it successful. The original 1988 movie proved that a strong narrative doesn’t always rely on a complicated storyline. Instead, focusing on Lydia and Astrid could work wonderfully for the sequel, as they have already established connections with the Netherworld. Moreover, it wouldn’t be challenging to devise a scenario where Beetlejuice reappears given his lingering presence in Lydia’s dreams at the end of the previous film, hinting that he could potentially return to haunt her again.

There Should Be No Doubts About The Future Of Beetlejuice

The Beetlejuice Franchise Is In Safe Hands

Without a shadow of a doubt, the path forward for “Beetlejuice 3” is firmly in Tim Burton’s control. Despite the buzz and guesswork, it’s undeniable that the characters’ journeys and actions are in trusted hands. This is evident through their dedication to the franchise, as they prioritize the narrative over its financial success. During the promotion for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” Burton notably stated that he chose not to revisit his initial blockbuster before making the sequel, focusing instead on preserving the original film’s essence (as reported by Rolling Stone.)

Beyond the current discussion, Keaton’s viewpoint regarding his character is vital to ensuring the authenticity and future prosperity of Beetlejuice 3. He acknowledges that his limited role was more impactful in Beetlejuice 2, mirroring the original film more accurately. This was a non-negotiable condition for Keaton before signing the contract, as he stated to NBC, “[Burton] and I had an agreement. I said, ‘If we ever do it, I can’t be in it too much… If I’m in, it may be a minute longer than I was. That’s it.’

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2025-04-21 23:51