That's Not Paranormal! Nice (Bleeping) Sequel!

That’s Not Paranormal (Again, it kind of is…)

Nice *Bleeping* Sequel!

A few months back I did a discussion piece on why a Ghostbusters 3 may be a bad idea. Not that I’m not excited for it, believe me – I am. It’s just that with the boys being damn well in their 60’s or almost, they feel the need to hand off the franchise to a new group of busters. I just don’t see it agreeing with some fans, but oh well, time will tell…or won’t (Ghostbusters 3 has been in developmental Hell for the past two decades.)

This discussion is about the potential Beetlejuice sequel. Another sequel that has been in developmental hell for two decades.

Sure, Beetlejuice is not on everyone’s favorite movie list, but you can’t deny that it has some dark charm to it. In my opinion it one of Tim Burton’s last great movies. Not that his newer movies such as Frankenweenie or Corpse Bridge haven’t been good, but they’re in no means classics.

If you’re a regular reader of Scared Sheetless, you will know by now that I’m a huge Beetlejuice fan. For some reason it just attracts me.

No, not just her! Although that does have a lot to do with it.

I think it’s the great blend of dark humor, spirits, and just the cool production sets that make me love the film. But it’s mostly the ghost with the most that is the deal breaker. Without Beetlejuice (the character), I really don’t think the movie would have been that much of a success. And it was a success to; it cost 15 million to make it and it made 75 million in the box office; course these numbers could be wrong, maybe a little off, but those are the estimates.

But is a sequel worthwhile? For many years some have speculated that a sequel just wouldn’t do the first movie any justice. Kevin Smith, who was asked to direct the ill-fated “Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiin” sequel, said, “Didn’t we see all we could see in the first Beetlejuice? Must we go tropical?” I don’t know if he meant that in any disrespect to the movie or was just declaring that the first movie was good enough that we don’t need a sequel. Not sure. But even Tim Burton has said in the past that he doesn’t think that a Beetlejuice sequel needs to be made.

Until now that is …

My opinion is that any movie can have a sequel if you have the right writers. Great sequels are far and few in between, but there are some and that’s because they had great writing. Back to the Future Part 2 is one; Hellboy 2: The Golden Army is another, and of course there is the Dark Knight and the Dark Knight Rises. And I’m sure there are others, but I’m not much of a movie buff so I can’t say for sure.

Last word around the net is that Beetlejuice 2 is being written by the guys who did Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Don’t know whether to cheer or to boo, because I have yet to see this movie. They can’t get the original Beetlejuice writers, because they’re unfortunately deceased (Warren Skaaran and Michael McDowell for those wondering), except for Larry Wilson, but he hasn’t done much lately to pertain that he is interested.

Seth Grahame Smith, one of the writers of Beetlejuice 2, has stated that it is going to be a modern day sequel. He probably clarified this due to the fact that rumors were stirring that the sequel was in fact going to be a prequel that was going to be like an origins movie. It would show how Beetlejuice became to be Beetlejuice. Which wouldn’t be a bad idea, because a character like that probably has quite a few skeletons in his closet (Beetlejuice cartoon reference!)

Here’s what Seth had to say:

“This will be a true 26 or 27 years later sequel. What’s great is that for Beetlejuice, time means nothing in the afterlife, but the world outside is a different story.”

Going by those words, for some odd reason I think of the movie Blast from the Past. Remember that? With Brendan Frasier being in a bomb shelter for twenty years or so, he comes right out and the world isn’t a Leave It to Beaver world anymore. That’s the first thought that comes to mind and I seriously hope that’s not what Seth is pointing to.

I can’t speak for the rest of the audience, but I think a great Beetlejuice sequel needs to feature Michael Keaton as the lead role. Most would agree I’m sure, but that’s only common knowledge. But with the “Beetlejuice rule” being that spirits can’t age, that may leave some out of the sequel: Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis. From what I’ve read on numerous sources, Alec and Burton didn’t get along to well and you don’t see Alec talking about his experiences on Beetlejuice AT ALL. Genna has gone on record saying that she would be open to doing a sequel. Do I think the Maitlands absolutely need to be in this? Not really. They could have some sort of explanation; i.e. they moved on.

If I was to have a choice, the primary cast should be Beetlejuice, played by Michael Keaton, and a 20 years older Lydia, played by Winona Ryder. The great thing about these two is that they really haven’t changed in looks in twenty years. Ryder, however, looks a bit more mature than she did as the young and very cute goth chick, but she can still pull the look off I’m sure.

But that leaves Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O’ Hara, the Deetez family. Both have aged quite a bit since the movie, but they weren’t dead in the movie anyways, so they can age, and the rule doesn’t apply to them. Maybe a short cameo wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Unfortunately two prime stars of Beetlejuice will not be able to be in it and that is Glenn Shaddix (Otho Vinlock) and Sylvia Sydney (Juno the case worker). Both were great in their roles, especially Shaddix, who unfortunately died in 2012. One fan who met Shaddix said Glen would’ve loved to do a sequel to Beetlejuice, but I’m sure wherever he is, he will be “Totally enchanted.” (Beetlejuice quote, hopefully you guys are catches these!)

What would work for a sequel though, as far as storylines are concerned?

Beetlejuice as the bad guy:

We all know that he plays the antagonist in the movie, but I really think he was just misunderstood. I mean, who can really say they hate him? He is a loveable character. But if they were to make him the bad guy, what would a good scenario be for him? I had an idea that I’ve been thumbing around in my mental theatre on Beetlejuice coming back and stealing Lydia’s parents. Why? For payback! Lydia has to journey to the Afterlife to save her parents.

Or

Since this a 26/27 year later sequel, the Deetez family could have another child. In the original screenplay, when Beetlejuice was to be made into a horror movie, the Deetez had two kids. Lydia played a typical teenager who had a thing for metal heads and her little sister was the one who befriended the Maitlands. Beetlejuice was actually two people: himself and a disguise teenager by the name of Jacob Goodnight (I think, it’s been years since I’ve read the original Beetlejuice manuscript). Jacob and Lydia become a couple and start to do horrible things, that’s until the little sister finds out and uses the Handbook of the Recently Deceased to send Beetlejuice back to where he came from.

They could use this story, but morph it a little bit. Maybe Lydia could be a paranormal investigator and she teams up with a guy named Jacob Goodnight, disguised as Beetlejuice, they get married and after its all said and done, Beetlejuice reveals himself. “Surprise!” Then the sky turns black, thunder and lightning flash and bang, and the platform they’re standing on collapses into the Earth, taking Lydia to the Afterlife. Lydia’s little sister, who’s say probably sixteen, has to journey to the Afterlife to save her. This is of course playing around with my other scenario above.

Beetlejuice as the good guy:

Me and my uncle talked about this idea at one point. What would make a really good Beetlejuice sequel and we came up with this: a company is buying Winter River houses left and right, but Lydia (the owner of the house now) won’t sell. However, this isn’t a move on type of company, they’re the bad guys after all, so they’re going to do whatever it takes to get her out. Now, Lydia can only do so much to defend herself, but she needs help. Here’s what happens: the company tries burning her house down, but Lydia see’s this before they can. She says the three B’s, but nothing happens. Until the men go away screaming, maybe Beetlejuice snake form makes a short cameo? Beetlejuice is of course reluctant to helping Lydia out due to what happened in the first movie. But he comes to his senses, eventually.

But what does this Seth guy have in mind? I wish he would at least give us a little more to go by to conjure up some interest before it is Showtime. Beetlejuice 2 has great potential, I think. A good crowd of people want to see it and even those who complain about Hollywood rehashes and reboots (myself included) will still go and see it and probably love it. But they need the key people from the first one to make it work and no CGI! Tim Burton is at his best when he actually makes the props rather than animates it. It does look good for some movies, but movies like this – it doesn’t work.

Time will tell, but Beetlejuice 2 is slated for a 2014 release, which is the same for Ghostbusters III. Will it be Ghostbusters vs. Beetlejuice at the box office? Now that’s a movie I’d love to see.

What do you think about a Beetlejuice 2?