Summary

• Michael Keaton says that his character is still brash and has "stupid male energy" in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
• Updating Beetlejuice to be more appropriate in the sequel would have been a mistake given how beloved Tim Burton's original film is.
• Beetlejuice Beetlejuice doesn't attempt to excuse Keaton's character's behavior, and he's supposed to be repulsive and inappropriate.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice story sees Keaton's character return to wreak havoc after the young Astrid Deetz (Jenna Ortega) accidentally opens a portal to the afterlife, with trailers promising that the character remains just as brash 36 years later.

In a recent interview with GQ, Keaton touches on the portrayal of his character in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, revealing that audiences can expect the same insensitive bio-exorcist that appeared in Burton's original. According to the actor, a key part of the character's twisted charm is that he's mostly a force for chaos. Check out his comment below:

“He's a thing. He's more of a thing than a he or a she, he's more of an it. And I'm not saying ‘it’ to be politically correct. I just viewed it as a force more than anything. I mean, there’s definitely strong male energy, like stupid male energy, which I love. You don't want to touch that because it's not like you go, ‘Well, it's a new year and this thing would now act like that.’”

It's For The Best That Michael Keaton's Character Hasn't Changed In Beetlejuice 2

Tim Burton's Original Movie Is A Cult Classic

Burton's original Beetlejuice was generally well-received at the time of its release, but it's since ascended to cult classic status. In fact, it's now widely seen as one of his best movies. Keaton's character is, of course, a major reason for the film's success, as he managed to be at times scary, hilarious, and surprisingly inappropriate.

Making a good legacy sequel over 30 years later to such a beloved film is a tall order, and it would be especially challenging if Keaton's titular Beetlejuice Beetlejuice character was softened or made more in line with the times. Audiences will expect to see the character they know and love in the sequel, and evolving him too much could risk alienating those who enjoyed the original. It's worth noting, too, that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice isn't attempting to excuse or justify Betelgeuse's behavior, and the character is supposed to be repulsive and offensive to some degree.

Other returning actors from the original film include Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara.

It seems that Keaton's character will experience some changes in Burton's sequel, however, as the actor has already teased that more is revealed about his Beetlejuice's backstory, particularly as it relates to his wife, Delores (Monica Bellucci). This won't affect Betelgeuse's behavior, necessarily, but it could certainly recontextualize it. It remains unclear exactly what more will be revealed about Keaton's character in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, but the actor's comment suggests he will still very much be the bio-exorcist audiences know and love.

Source: GQ