Although it has a number of returning faces, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Writer Alfred Gough explains why the Maitlands did not appear in the horror-comedy sequel. With the Deetz family set back 36 years after their first encounter with Betelgeuse, Lydia (Winona Ryder) must conquer her fears of the bio-exorcist while grappling with a troubled relationship with her daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega). In the original movie, Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin’s Barbara and Adam Maitland were a couple who recently died, leaving the Deetz family to move into their former home, much to their annoyance.
like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Finally shown in theaters for audiences, Gough appeared to Entertainment Weekly Why the Maitlands have no cameo in the sequel. The co-writer explained that although the couple’s potential return was discussed and present in early drafts, it was agreed that the first film gave the couple a fulfilling story, and their absence would avoid questions about their return or the potential of falling in The trappings of fan-service. Check out Gough’s full reminder below.
It’s funny with the Maitlands because we asked Tim, and we went back and forth. There was a version where they just showed up at the end, but the problem is that they are ghosts. So they need to look like they are 35, which is never going to happen. I think Tim felt, and Miles and I agreed that their story had been told. So how do we move on from that?
The first movie is really about the Maitlands. It was really Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis’ movie for good [portion]. They are the protagonists who called Beetlejuice against the Deetz family. So he said he really wanted to focus on them. He is not interested in doing fan service or being slaves. So I think he was very much about, how do we tell the next iteration of the story?
I think we even threw in a joke where [Astrid] Goes, “How convenient!” We tried to find ways, can we get to the Maitlands? I think Tim was finally like, “Let’s not do that. We have a reason why they’re not there anymore. So let’s just move on from that.”
How so Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Explain the Maitlands’ absence?
The couple received a hearty nod from Lydia.
within the runtime of Beetlejuice BeetlejuiceIt is revealed that Adam and Barbara have passed to the afterlife with the help of Lydia and potentially the Deets, having found a loop around them forced to haunt the home for centuries before passing on. Despite this, the second act sees a touching moment where Lydia and Astrid find some understanding in the attic amid their conflict, where Lydia references the Maitlands while fondly discussing the Winter River model. As such, the pair are respectfully touched in the narrative beyond Astrid’s stab.
Save for make-up, there was some extensive SFX work to make the cast seem younger.
of course Beetlejuice BeetlejuiceThe handling of the Maitlands’ fate is ideal amid much debate about returning characters because, except for the older Deets, Betelgeuse and ghostly characters who may be present with slight changes to their cast, including the headless Charles Deets ghost, the cast is assembled of new characters. Save for make-up, there was little extensive SFX work used to make the cast appear younger, as was seen in the Star WarsMarvel, DC franchise and, more recently, Alien Romulus‘ Ian Holm appearance. how so Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has escaped the scrutiny and distracting discourse of the practices brought to these features.
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More focused on character than fan service, one of Beetlejuice BeetlejuiceIts strengths have been its focus on furthering its character’s story, even Keaton’s ever-sleazy, ever-unchanging ghost with the most. With a focus on family woes and breaking free from toxic relationships, the sequel manages to create a captivating hook that doesn’t rely on rehashing old iconography. As such, while one final reunion with the Maitlands might have been welcomed, it’s clear that their omission was for the best.
Source: EW