Summary

• Michael Keaton promises to unveil Beetlejuice's backstory in the 2024 sequel, shedding light on the enigmatic character's mysterious origins.
• Tim Burton's sequel can provide clarity on Beetlejuice's true name, potentially revealing whether it is a nickname or his actual birth name.
• Beetlejuice 2 must ensure it doesn't overshare regarding Beetlejuice's backstory in order to keep some of his mysterious nature intact.

Michael Keaton has teased that his titular character’s backstory will be revealed in Beetlejuice 2, which can finally bring clarity a confusing aspect of the “bio-exorcist.” In addition to Michael Keaton, the cast of Beetlejuice 2 includes the returns of original actors Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz and Catherine O’Hara as Delia Deetz. Tim Burton’s 2024 sequel will primarily be centered around the Deetz family women as they’re confronted with trouble in the land of the living and the afterlife, leading to Lydia once again summoning Beetlejuice by repeating his name three times.

While the full context of his return in Beetlejuice 2’s story is still vague, some exciting details have been revealed about what’s in store for Keaton’s iconic poltergeist. In addition to a teased sequence with a “shrunken head room” and the introduction of his dead wife (played by Monica Bellucci) in the afterlife, Michael Keaton confirmed that Beetlejuice’s backstory will be explained in the 2024 sequel. Very little was known about him in the 1988 movie other than that he survived the bubonic plague, watched The Exorcist 167 times, and once worked as Juno’s assistant, so the sequel helps fill in necessary gaps about his life and death.

Tim Burton Revealing Beetlejuice's Backstory Can End The Confusion About Michael Keaton's Real Character Name

The enigmatic character's identity will get fleshed out more in Beetlejuice 2

Since the 1988 movie, there’s been some debate over Beetlejuice’s real name: is it actually Beetlejuice/Betelgeuse, or is this just a nickname he took on in the afterlife? It would seem like the latter is the more likely answer, but Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice never gave any real indication as to why that would be. While Betelgeuse's name is inspired by the corresponding star, it’s unclear whether this was a moniker that was given to him in life or after death. If he was born with this name, then Beetlejuice 2 can finally give his surname; if it’s a nickname, then Beetlejuice 2 can finally reveal his birth name.

If he was born with this name, then Beetlejuice 2 can finally give his surname; if it’s a nickname, then Beetlejuice 2 can finally reveal his birth name.

With Beetlejuice 2 going further into the character’s backstory as he terrorizes members of the Deetz family tree yet again, it seems likely that the sequel will finally give a concrete answer to his name. It’s unclear how far back the movie will go in exploring his origins, but his identity while alive and the circumstances of his death are expected to be revealed. Of course, if his real name is revealed as something other than Beetlejuice, then it still begs the questions of how and when exactly he earned the nickname, why he can’t say it himself, and why saying “Beetlejuice” three times summons or expels him.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice will premiere in theaters on September 6, 2024. Beetlejuice (1988) is available to rent or purchase from digital retailers like Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.

Beetlejuice 2 Exploring Michael Keaton's Character Backstory Still Presents A Big Risk

Tim Burton's backstory reveal can't overdo it

Though Beetlejuice 2 is the perfect time to finally fill in the gaps regarding Beetlejuice’s identity and backstory, there’s a risk in revealing too much about Michael Keaton’s character. Part of the enduring allure and effectiveness of Beetlejuice is the fact that he’s such a mysterious figure – he seemingly has no motivation for his terrible actions, and there’s generally no sympathy for him against the Deetzes or Maitlands. If Beetlejuice 2 overshares information about his backstory, then Tim Burton’s sequel risks undermining his status as an enigmatic agent of chaos and fundamentally incomprehensible character.