15 Little-Known Tidbits About ‘Beetlejuice’ That Will Surprise You

With its unique mix of humor and fright, Beetlejuice quickly became a fan favorite upon its release on March 30, 1988. Its popularity has only grown over the past four decades, as new generations have found it through TV, DVD, and streaming platforms.

The film solidified Tim Burton’s reputation as one of Hollywood’s most creative minds, following his debut feature, Pee-wee's Big Adventure, in 1985. However, bringing this mischievous ghost to life on screen came with its own set of challenges, as well as remarkable rewards.

As the highly anticipated sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, prepares to premiere on Friday, September 6, now is the perfect moment to revisit this quirky ’80s masterpiece. Here, we revisit some intriguing details about the original cult classic.

Initial versions of the screenplay were much less lighthearted.

Michael McDowell’s early draft was significantly darker compared to the final version, which was reworked by Larry Wilson and Warren Skaaren. In the original concept, Beetlejuice was portrayed as a winged demon with the appearance of a Middle Eastern man, and his intentions toward the Deetzes involved far more sinister acts like rape and murder rather than playful antics and marriage schemes. Additionally, the Maitlands’ car accident was depicted in a much more graphic manner.

One of the early drafts envisioned a Maitland home for everyone.

McDowell’s initial ending featured Beetlejuice being vanquished through an exorcism, and the Maitlands’ house shrinking to the size of Adam’s miniature town. Rather than cohabiting with the Deetzes, the Maitlands moved into the model house, transforming it to resemble their original home before the Deetzes arrived. Meanwhile, the Deetz parents returned to New York, leaving Lydia to be raised by the Maitlands in Connecticut.

Tim Burton enlisted Warren Skaaren to inject a sense of fun and musicality into the script.

Warren Skaaren’s revisions included detailed music recommendations, such as Lydia miming to Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman.” However, the final movie replaced R&B tracks with calypso tunes, including Harry Belafonte’s iconic songs “Day-O” and “Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora).”

Tim Burton initially envisioned Sammy Davis Jr. as Beetlejuice.

Tim Burton reportedly preferred Sammy Davis Jr., a member of the Rat Pack who was 63 at the time, for the role of Beetlejuice. However, producer David Geffen advocated for Michael Keaton, who was eventually cast and later starred in two more Burton films: Batman and Batman Returns.

The film earned an Academy Award.

Ve Neill, Steve LaPorte, and Robert Short, the makeup artists, received the 1989 Oscar for Best Makeup.

Anjelica Huston was almost cast as Delia Deetz.

Anjelica Huston was initially cast as Delia Deetz but had to step down due to illness. Catherine O’Hara initially turned down the role but agreed after Tim Burton flew to meet her and persuaded her to join. During the production of Beetlejuice, O’Hara met and later married production designer Bo Welch.

Geena Davis and Michael Keaton required no persuasion to join the project.

Both Geena Davis and Michael Keaton eagerly joined the film after meeting Burton. However, the director reportedly had to plead with Sylvia Sidney, a Golden Age of Hollywood icon, to portray the afterlife detective, Juno. Sidney, who passed away in 1999, collaborated with Burton on her final film, the 1996 sci-fi comedy Mars Attacks!.

Many young actresses passed on the role of Lydia.

Lori Loughlin, Diane Lane, Sarah Jessica Parker, Brooke Shields, Justine Bateman, Molly Ringwald, and Jennifer Connelly were among the actresses who reportedly declined the part of Lydia Deetz. Juliette Lewis auditioned, but Winona Ryder secured the role after Burton was impressed by her performance in the teen film Lucas.

Beetlejuice almost had the title “Scared Sheetless.”

Warner Bros. executives disliked the title Beetlejuice and proposed renaming it House Ghosts. Burton humorously proposed Scared Sheetless as an alternative, only to be shocked when the studio seriously considered it.

The character Beetlejuice was inspired by a celestial body.

The name Beetlejuice was derived from Betelgeuse, a star in the Orion constellation. Some astronomers believe it might be on the verge of exploding—or may have already exploded—given its noticeable dimming in recent years.

“Day-O” was performed at the real-life funeral of Otho’s actor.

Harry Belafonte’s iconic track “Day-O,” featured in the film’s famous dance scene, was the closing song at the 2010 memorial service for Glenn Shadix, who portrayed Otho.

Beetlejuice has surprisingly little screen time in his own film.

Although he’s the title character, Beetlejuice only appears for 17.5 minutes in the 92-minute movie. However, naming the film The Maitlands wouldn’t have had the same memorable appeal.

Test screenings led to a more cheerful conclusion for Beetlejuice.

Audiences loved Keaton’s green-haired character so much that Burton’s team added a lively epilogue. In it, Beetlejuice torments a woman cut in half before being cursed by a witch doctor. Earlier versions had him trapped in the Maitlands’ miniature town, harassed by sandworms.

Beetlejuice spawned an animated TV series.

A cartoon adaptation of Beetlejuice aired for 94 episodes. The series redefined Lydia Deetz’s dynamic with Beetlejuice, as he whisked her away on bizarre escapades in the “Neitherworld.” While the Maitlands were absent, Lydia gained new classmates and eerie companions like a skeletal bodybuilder and a tap-dancing spider.

Developing a sequel concept took several years.

The financial triumph of Beetlejuice led to plans for a 1990 sequel titled Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian. However, Burton shifted focus to Batman Returns, putting the sequel on hold. It wasn’t until 2011 that Warner Bros. enlisted Seth Grahame-Smith, writer of Dark Shadows, to develop a fresh version of Beetlejuice 2, with Keaton, Ryder, and Burton all potentially returning.

Years went by with only hints of progress until December 2014, when Tim Burton told IGN: “There’s a script, and I’d love to collaborate with [Michael Keaton] again. The chances are better than ever … I miss that character. There’s something incredibly cathartic about it. I think it’s closer than ever.”

In 2015, Winona Ryder confirmed the project’s revival during an interview with Seth Meyers: “I think I can confirm it. It was all very top secret … but then Tim mentioned it during a press interview for Big Eyes, saying, ‘Oh yeah, we’re doing it, and Winona’s going to be in it.’ ... If he said it, I can say it.”

By late 2017, the project had stalled but gained momentum with a new writer revising the script. Like its titular character, the sequel was eventually revived, with Miles Millar and Alfred Gough leading the writing team. Titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the film introduces new characters, including Jenna Ortega from Wednesday as Lydia’s troubled teenage daughter. It premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 28 to largely favorable reviews and hits U.S. theaters on Friday, September 6.

This article was originally published in 2018 and has been updated for 2024.