Stuck in development hell, Beetlejuice 2 looked dead in the water, raising the curious question of what happened. Considered one of Tim Burton's best films, it came as no surprise that a Beetlejuice sequel would get the green light almost immediately. However, over two decades ago, concerns began to arise for Beetlejuice's follow-up, and to this day, they still linger as the series comes back to cinemas.
Starring Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder, Beetlejuice floated into theaters with massive success. Despite only having one film to his name, "The Ghost with the Most," became a beloved horror icon, spawning multiple stage shows, an expansive merchandise collection, and a TV series loosely based on the character. It wouldn't be until 2023 that Warner Bros. announced Beetlejuice 2, the first true sequel since the original film's 1988 debut. With returning stars such as Michael Keaton and newcomers such as Wednesday's Jenna Ortega, there are high expectations to meet as Warner Bros. invokes Beetlejuice for an anticipated sequel.
Why Beetlejuice's Rejected Sequel Didn't Work
Beetlejuice 2 wasn't the first sequel considered, and as far back as 1990, a now-rejected script began circulating throughout Hollywood. Known as Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian, the movie featured the return of the title character, now haunting a Polynesian resort. Too bizarre to be believed, a tropical Beetlejuice project was confirmed to exist by Kevin Smith and screenwriter Jonathan Gems. However, despite efforts to bring Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian to the big screen, the project became abandoned, and with good reasons.
Although ending on a high note, a Beetlejuice sequel made sense at the time. Beetlejuice had an impressive following, and within a year of its premiere, a TV adaptation based on the movie aired on Saturday mornings, reaching a vast audience. However, as the script took shape and experienced massive delays, Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian was wisely canceled. In An Evening with Kevin Smith, the filmmaker noted the frivolousness of a sequel, commenting, "Didn't we say all we needed to say in the first Beetlejuice? Must we go tropical?" Additionally, in 1997, Jonathan Gems commented, "Winona is too old for the role, and the only way they could make it would be to totally recast it," acknowledging how much time had passed since Beetlejuice's premiere. Both Smith and Gems raised valid concerns, giving reasons for a Beetlejuice sequel not to exist, but it didn't stop Beetlejuice 2 from manifesting years later.
What Warranted Beetlejuice 2?
The commentary that closed the casket on Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian is just as relevant now as it was back then, calling into question what changed. Well, it's no secret that the character has dominated Halloween through resolute 1980s nostalgia, with Beetlejuice haunting more costume shops, movie marathons and attractions every October. Additionally, the production of BEETLEJUICE The Musical helped to give the twisted specter new life. However, above all else, given Keaton's recent success in reprising his role as Batman for The Flash over 30 years later, it was inevitable that Hollywood would ask him to reprise his role. Moreover, unlike Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian, which aimed to be a direct sequel, Beetlejuice 2 is riding a trend of legacy films similar to Disney's Star Wars sequels and Ghostbusters: Afterlife, hoping to acknowledge the past, embrace the future and pass the grinning ghost's shenanigans to a new generation.
When it comes to producing a sequel to a beloved horror movie like Beetlejuice, the crucial question isn't what should be changed, but rather, what needs to be changed. As Smith pointed out, Beetlejuice 2 had to be a story worth telling. Already off to a good start and with a promising premise, the idea of doing a legacy sequel rather than an immediate one isn't necessarily bad for Beetlejuice. After addressing the major criticisms directed at Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian and recognizing the potential to explore these characters decades later, Warner Bros. seems to have decided that the Beetlejuice story is worth revisiting. Although regardless if Beetlejuice 2 is a worthy successor, there's no denying that an old-school ghoul doesn't die as long as their audience carries on their spirit.