Buzz
Movie memorabilia, especially items used on-screen, can fetch impressive sums at auctions, with collectors of Star Wars, Star Trek, and The Lord of the Rings willing to pay a premium for items like Frodo's costumes or Wookiee hair. However, some fans seem to skip the bidding and take the props straight off the set during filming.
According to the Vermont State Police and Caledonian Record, a thief (or thieves) managed to steal a massive sculpture intended for the 'Beetlejuice' sequel currently being filmed in the state. The abstract art piece, weighing about 150 pounds, was taken sometime between late Thursday, July 13, and early Friday, July 14, from a cemetery in East Corinth, one of the filming locations.
Around the same time, another prop—a lamppost with a pumpkin-shaped top—was also taken and loaded into a GMC truck. The police are requesting tips from the public via social media platforms.
According to The A.V. Club, the sculpture made its appearance in the 1988 film Beetlejuice, which featured Michael Keaton as a mischievous ghost who helps a deceased couple evict the living from their home. Keaton will reprise his role, alongside co-stars Catherine O'Hara and Winona Ryder, in the sequel.
Film productions have long had to contend with props going missing. In 2001, four Spider-Man costumes, each worth $50,000, were stolen from the set of the Sam Raimi-directed film. (They were eventually recovered.) In 2022, daring criminals stole over 350 prop antiques valued at $250,000 from the set of The Crown.
The release date for the Beetlejuice sequel has not yet been announced.
