Beetlejuice 2 Gets Iconic Prop Stolen And Police Are On The Hunt
Criminals have hit the set of Beetlejuice 2, making off with a 150-pound statue from the original movie. A lamp post adorned with pumpkin iconography was also taken, prompting authorities to release a statement urging anyone with information to step forward. “We tried saying the name of this stolen statue three times, but it didn’t come back!” the Virginia State Police wrote on social media.
“We’re investigating the theft of this 150-pound sculpture from the Beetlejuice 2 set in E. Corinth, along with a lamppost topped with a pumpkin decoration,” the post continued. The theft of the statue reportedly took place between 5 pm on July 13 and 11 am on July 17 while the film was being shot on location in Vermont.
One of Delia Deetz’s iconic sculptures seen in Beetlejuice was stolen from the set of the sequel film.
According to NBC 5, the culprits arrived at the lamppost in an older-model GMC pickup truck shortly after midnight on July 14. They dismantled the base and loaded the Beetlejuice 2 statue onto the truck. The thieves returned on July 17 to steal the statue. As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
Beetlejuice 2 Troubles
Beetlejuice 2 has been riddled with obstacles throughout its development, as the follow-up to the eerie comedy has been in the works for years. Director Tim Burton even had doubts about the project ever getting off the ground. Explaining the reason for the delays, writer Seth Grahame-Smith said that he and Burton were worried about getting the story wrong.
“It’s funny, when I had met with Tim about [Beetlejuice 2] last, and we’re talking about five years ago at this point, the reason that it’s so hard to get going is because so many people love Beetlejuice and because there are 10 million ways to get that sequel wrong and four ways to get it right,” Grahame-Smith told Collider in 2021.
As of May 18, 2023, filming for Beetlejuice 2 was underway around Princess Helena College in Preston, Hertfordshire, England. Additional filming was conducted in East Corinth, Vermont, the same location where the original movie’s outdoor scenes were shot. However, production was suspended in July due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.
“We tried saying the name of this stolen statue three times, but it didn’t come back!”
Virginia State Police on social media
Beetlejuice 2 will see Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, and Winona Ryder reprise their roles from the 1988 film. While the plot remains shrouded in mystery, Warner Bros. has officially announced the inclusion of new talent in the franchise, including Jenna Ortega, who recently gained recognition for her role in Netflix’s Wednesday.
Willem Dafoe will also join the Beetlejuice 2 cast as a law enforcement officer in the afterlife, with Monica Bellucci portraying Betelgeuse’s wife. Tim Burton returns as director for the sequel, with the script being penned by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. The highly anticipated movie is set for release worldwide on September 6, 2024.
“It’s funny, when I had met with Tim about [Beetlejuice 2] last, and we’re talking about five years ago at this point, the reason that it’s so hard to get going is because so many people love Beetlejuice and because there are 10 million ways to get that sequel wrong and four ways to get it right,”
Seth Grahame-Smith, Beetlejuice 2 writer
The original Beetlejuice film was brought to life by Tim Burton from a script by Michael McDowell and Warren Skaaren. The story revolves around Adam and Barbara Maitland, portrayed by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis, a recently deceased couple who find themselves trapped as ghosts in their home in the fictional town of Winter River, Connecticut, following a fatal car accident.
The Maitlands quickly realize that the afterlife isn’t the peaceful experience they expected. Their home is invaded by the Deetz family, consisting of Charles Deetz, his wife Delia, and their daughter Lydia (played by Winona Ryder, who will be Jenna Ortega’s mom in Beetlejuice 2). Desperate to reclaim their residence, the Maitlands turn to the chaotic Betelgeuse for assistance.
However, they soon discover that Betelgeuse’s intentions are far from pure. The movie unfolds with macabre humor, distinctive character design, and imaginative sets. Tim Burton’s gothic visual style permeates the film, adding to its unique atmosphere. Complementing the movie’s quirky and whimsical vibe is the memorable musical score by Danny Elfman, who will also be working on Beetlejuice 2.
