AVOID THIS TEMPTING MISTAKE: Why Beetlejuice 3 Needs No Maitlands

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In the upcoming “Beetlejuice 3“, there’s a chance for the story to delve into characters and plot points that were not fully explored in the 2024 film. Although main characters like Betelgeuse, Lydia Deetz, Delia Deetz, and Charles Deetz returned (albeit with a different voice actor) in “Beetlejuice 2”, it was hard not to notice the conspicuous absence of two key figures from the 1988 film: Adam and Barbara Maitland, portrayed by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis.

Initially, the Maitlands played crucial roles in the plot of “Beetlejuice” as they were the spirits trying to frighten the Deetz family away from their house, eventually coexisting peacefully with them by the film’s end. Despite their passing, it made sense that Michael Keaton and Geena Davis’ characters seemed older in the movie since they were dead. Although there were whispers about their possible appearances in the sequel’s finale, these cameos never materialized due to director Tim Burton’s decision. However, this choice should be upheld for the storyline of “Beetlejuice 3.

Beetlejuice 3 Still Shouldn’t Bring Barbara & Adam Maitland Back For Cameos

Burton Made The Right Decision To Avoid Cameos In Beetlejuice 2

In the case of a potential third movie like “Beetlejuice 2”, it might serve the story better to steer clear of appearances by Adam and Barbara Maitland in the afterlife. Their characters remain significant to the narrative of the Deetz family and Betelgeuse, yet allusions to their past and importance could suffice for their involvement in future installments. Overlooking Adam and Barbara’s legacies completely would be an error, but recurring cameos could potentially overshadow the new storyline.

In discussions about a possible appearance of Barbara and Adam in Beetlejuice 2, the writers proposed that their ghosts would make an appearance at the film’s conclusion. However, they faced a challenge as Adam and Barbara were meant to appear 35 years older, which required de-aging technology to be effective, conflicting with the practical effects approach of the sequel. After discussing this idea with Burton, the creative team decided against it, reasoning that the Maitlands didn’t need to feature because their story had already been concluded.

As a fan, I found it intriguing with the Maitlands’ situation since Tim and I exchanged ideas about them. We debated whether they could appear at the end, but the issue was they’re spirits. Given their ghostly nature, they couldn’t convincingly portray their original ages, which was a challenge. Ultimately, I believe that Tim, along with Miles, felt their narrative had run its course and it was time to explore new stories. So the question became, how do we progress beyond their tale?

In the hypothetical Beetlejuice 3, it’s plausible that a return to Winter River could enable Astrid to encounter the ghosts who significantly impacted Lydia’s teenage years, despite their supposed non-existence. However, if the Maitlands were to reappear, they should be given more than a brief appearance at the film’s end; such a small role wouldn’t do justice to the significance of their roles in the Deetzes’ storyline. Instead, their legacy is best preserved through Lydia’s reminiscences and conversations about them, immortalizing them within the narrative much as they were at the conclusion of the 1988 Beetlejuice movie.

Delia & Charles’ Beetlejuice 3 Stories Could Help Solve Unanswered Questions About Barbara & Adam

Delia & Charles Would Have Already Been Dead For A Few Years By Beetlejuice 3

Although Adam and Barbara’s absence in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” left some unresolved queries about their afterlife, particularly concerning the loophole they discovered to break free from their 125-year sentence at the Winter River house, the third installment of the series could choose to delve into these enigmas differently. Instead of revisiting the Maitlands, Beetlejuice 3 might focus on the fresh afterlife adventures of the late Delia and Charles Deetz. If it continues in real-time, Beetlejuice 3 would depict Charles and Delia a few years into their afterlife existence, an era we haven’t yet explored with the Maitlands.

Lydia doesn’t elaborate much on the loophole that Barbara and Adam discovered to “transition,” which could be an intriguing angle for Beetlejuice 3 to delve into with Delia and Charles. Although it’s clear that these characters could take a quick ride on the afterlife’s Soul Train to reach the Pearly Gates or The Great Beyond, this loophole might offer them a unique route to spend their eternal lives differently. Via the Deetzes, we can glean more insights into what the afterlife was truly like for Barbara and Adam before they transitioned.

Beetlejuice 3 Should Continue Focusing On New Ghosts & Departments Instead Of Original Neitherworld Characters

The Afterlife Is Too Vast To Explore The Same People & Places

Instead of reintroducing old characters such as Juno from Beetlejuice, Miss Argentina, or the Maitlands for cameos in Beetlejuice 3, it would be more engaging to delve deeper into the rich and unexplored universe of the afterlife. While Beetlejuice 2 served as a legacy sequel, it skillfully introduced new elements like Immigration, the Soul Train, the police force, and Betelgeuse’s call center within the familiar locations such as the Neitherworld Waiting Room.

In a fresh and intriguing twist for Beetlejuice 3, we could delve deeper by introducing new spectral beings from the afterlife, expanding on lesser-explored aspects such as the newspaper sector that Betelgeuse frequently peruses, and immersing ourselves further into the rich lore of the Neitherworld. This vibrant universe offers endless possibilities, allowing us to venture beyond familiar characters and settings, except for Betelgeuse himself. It would be delightful to include subtle references to the Maitlands in Beetlejuice 3‘s afterlife narrative, but it would be more organic for any allusions to them to occur incidentally.

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2025-04-23 17:15