Geena Davis, who starred in the original Beetlejuice, has shared her theory on why she and Alec Baldwin were not asked to return for the sequel.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has been met with widespread fan and critical acclaim, earning a 77 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and surpassing the original film’s entire box office run.
One question on many fans’ minds, however, is the absence of the Maitlands from the original film, portrayed by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis, in the sequel.
The Maitlands are arguably the central characters in the 1988 film, serving as the primary means through which the audience is introduced to the world of the dead.
Their deaths and subsequent existence as ghosts are also key elements of the original film.
Despite their significant roles in the original film and the return of stars like Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis were not invited to reprise their roles.
In the film, Ryder’s character explains the Maitlands’ absence by saying they found a ‘loophole’ that allowed them to move on. However, Geena Davis has her own theory about their absence.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight earlier this year, she remarked, “I’m not in the remake. Oh, you were expecting that I would be?”
She added, “Yeah, no, you know what? Because my theory is that ghosts don’t age … Not that I have!”
Tim Burton has also addressed why Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis were not included in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. According to him, their absence is not related to Alec Baldwin’s involvement in the death of Halyna Hutchins or any theory about ghosts not aging.
He told PEOPLE Magazine: “I think the thing was for me I didn’t want to just tick any boxes.”
He continued, “So even though they were such an amazing integral part of the first one, I was focusing on something else.”
One viral tweet remarked, “Would’ve been nice to see Baldwin and Davis in Beetlejuice 2, but Davis at least has said it wouldn’t make sense because they’re supposed to remain the same age. Frankly, I’m thankful we didn’t get de-aged versions of them.”
They followed up with: “I think the movie actually does a great job blending the digital effects with the practicals, but seeing a yassified Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis would’ve been wildly distracting.”
They added, “I actually think the quiet acknowledgment that Adam and Barbara have moved on carries genuine reverence, as opposed to the absolute horror show they do with Charles, which is good.”
In the sequel, Charles Deetz, Lydia’s father, is depicted as having been killed, with part of his body eaten by a shark.
