The article contains spoilers for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice co-screenwriter Miles Millar explains why Michael Keaton’s Betelgeuse only appears for a limited time. In Tim Burton’s original 1988 movie, the titular character only has 17 minutes of screen time, of which he wears his iconic striped suit for two minutes. That approach of keeping Betelgeuse as a side character did not change for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, with Keaton appearing in that same time frame.
Speaking with Variety alongside his screenwriting partner Alfred Gough, Millar explained why Betelgeuse appears in the movie for such a short time. Initially reminding audiences that he is not the movie’s main character, Millar also stated that it was a challenge to know exactly when to highlight the titular bio-exorcist and how to find a balance between him and the movie’s main characters. Check out what he said on the matter below:
He’s such a fun character to write, but … he’s not the protagonist of the movie. It was tricky in terms of keeping the right balance. People love him so much. It’s called ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ for a reason, so he needs to be essential to the movie. It makes you think harder about what those scenes are going to be, and what his contribution to the movie is. It feels incredibly satisfying, and like you’ve spent a lot more time with him than you think. That’s the magic trick of that character.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Stays True to How Tim Burton Envisioned the Character
Keaton Still Remains A Supporting Character In The Sequel.
Despite having a more significant presence in the sequel’s story, Tim Burton, alongside Gough and Millar, has not changed the fact that Betelgeuse is not the main character in the sequel. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice does provide a backstory for the bio-exorcist, mainly explaining how he died at the hands of his ex-wife, Delores (Monica Bellucci), who has been brought back to life. However, this is not done to the detriment of the sequel’s main protagonists.
The sequel mostly focuses on Lydia Deetz’s (Winona Ryder) relationship with her stepmother, Delia (Catherine O’Hara), and teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), who does not believe in the supernatural. Lydia is still experiencing some form of trauma from her encounter with Betelgeuse in the original movie. However, he takes a backseat while events occur in the afterlife until far later in the movie when Astrid gets in trouble.
New additions to the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice cast include Monica Bellucci, Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe, Arthur Conti, and frequent Burton collaborator Danny DeVito.
It’s only when this occurs that Lydia calls Betelgeuse’s name three times in the hopes that he will be able to fix the predicament that her family is now stuck in. But even then, he does not overshadow the core relationship between Lydia and her daughter, which is at the front and center of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Despite the title promising double the Betelgeuse, the character’s screen time stays in the same vein as the original, even if it appears he has a bigger presence in the sequel than in the first movie.
Source: Variety
