With Beetlejuice 3 seemingly in development, two missing characters from the original movie could return. The 2024 hit sequel brought back a few key cast members, including Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz. Due to her father’s death, the much older Lydia revisited the Maitlands house in Winter River, Connecticut. However, the lack of Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin) raised serious questions about their whereabouts.
However, a third Beetlejuice movie opens the opportunity for Barbara and Adam to make their comeback. The two were a key part of Lydia’s childhood, and her involvement with them seemingly even inspired her profession as the talk show host for the in-universe paranormal show “Ghost House.” Still, some lingering mysteries and subtle details mean that Adam and Barbara’s return is looking inevitable.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Scrapped Adam & Barbara Cameos For A Good Reason
The Sequel Wanted To Focus On Three Generations Of The Deetz Family
Ahead of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice‘s release, director Tim Burton explained why Adam and Barbara did not return in the sequel. With the introduction of Jenna Ortega’s Astrid, the sequel was personal for the director, who wanted to focus on the three generations of the Deetz family. The premise was also a key reason why the sequel wasn’t made until 30 years later, since it needed time to feel the emotional impact. Read his comment below (via Collider):
It’s not something I could have done back then; it’s only something you could do once you experience those things yourself. So for me, this became a very personal movie, like a kind of weird family movie about a weird family. That became the emotional hook, the three generations of mother, daughter, granddaughter, life, death — just basic normal things that we all experience. Especially if you’re lucky enough to get older, you feel those things. So, that’s where it really started, and it really could only have happened for me after all this time.”
Burton’s vision is apparent in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, as it focuses on Lydia and Astrid’s estranged relationship. A key reason for their issues stemmed from the loss of Richard, Astrid’s father and Lydia’s ex-husband. The death fueled Astrid’s arc, as she entered the afterlife in search of her father’s spirit, forcing Lydia to chase after her. Despite all the troubles, this journey helped Astrid and Lydia reconcile their differences once they found Richard. And while Adam and Barbara could have made cameos, as they nearly appeared at the end of the movie, it would have distracted from the story’s main focus. Plus, their own story was resolved in the original movie.
Beetlejuice 3 Happening Increases The Likelihood Of Adam & Barbara Returning
Lydia Is Seemingly Still Haunted By Betelgeuse
While Burton’s return for a third movie is still unclear, Adam and Barbara’s chances of returning are looking more likely for two key reasons. Even though the Maitlands don’t even make a cameo, Lydia reveals that they somehow were able to move on and found a loophole that allowed them to still be in their ghostly figures while traveling through different forms of existence. This means that Adam and Barbara could reunite with Lydia since they are no longer stuck in their house. Plus, the third installment provides a chance to detail what this loophole could be.
In addition, the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice ending implies that Lydia’s issues with Beetlejuice are not entirely resolved. Although the bio-exorcist was seemingly sent back to the afterlife at the end of the sequel, Lydia still has nightmares of him. With the two characters clearly intertwined, the third installment may still have Lydia coping with Beetlejuice’s shenanigans, especially after his latest attempts with her daughter. The only characters who may be able to help her with this situation are Adam and Barbara, since they also became parents of sorts when she was a teenager.
Beetlejuice 3 Can Make Adam & Barbara’s Returns Worth It
A Reunion Between Lydia & The Maitlands Is Overdue
While it’s too soon to make any ᴀssumptions at this point, it’s clear that a reunion is needed between Lydia and the Maitlands. While this reunion will be longer than the thirty-year window, a clear direction and storyline for Beetlejuice 3 make Adam and Barbara’s return worthwhile. In particular, a cameo in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice would have been gimmicky since it wouldn’t add anything to the story, whereas their deep involvement in Lydia’s story would have made their appearance have a true impact on the story. Thus, their return will be worth it in the long run.
Source: Collider
Beetlejuice
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Tim Burton, Michael McDowell, Larry Wilson, Warren Skaaren
- First Film
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Beetlejuice
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Beetlejuice
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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
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Beetlejuice
Summary
Beetlejuice is a dark fantasy horror-comedy franchise that began with the release of the 1988 film directed by Tim Burton. The story follows a recently deceased couple who become ghosts haunting their former home and summon Betelgeuse (pronounced “Beetlejuice”), a mischievous and devious bio-exorcist ghost, to scare away the new inhabitants. The film’s success led to an animated television series, stage musical, and a highly anticipated sequel.
