Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Character Connects To Tim Burton’s Batman
For a legacy sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was surprisingly light on nostalgia—at least as far as the original Beetlejuice is concerned. Instead, Tim Burton peppered the film with references to his other films, like The Nightmare Before Christmas. The best callback by far, though was Bob, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice‘s homage to Batman.
Remembering Bob The Goon
Many of you are probably scratching your heads right now, thinking, “since when is there a Batman character named Bob?” Don’t feel bad. He’s an original character made up for the ’89 Batman and never appeared in any other Batman media.
In Batman, Bob the Goon is the Joker’s number one henchman, serving his boss faithfully until the Clown Prince of Crime randomly executes him using his own gun. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice‘s Bob plays a similar role. We’re introduced to the shrunken-headed municipal worker as Beetlejuice’s right-hand man in the afterlife.
This Bob Was Also Just Doing His Job
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice never makes it clear if Bob works for Beetlejuice or alongside him, but regardless, he acts as the demon’s lackey and follows orders unquestioningly. Sounds a lot like the Batman character, doesn’t it? Sadly, BJ’s cranially-challenged flunky suffers much the same fate as his ’80s counterpart.
While Beetlejuice Beetlejuice‘s Bob isn’t betrayed suddenly by his superior, he does die unexpectedly in the line of duty. Acting on orders from the B-man, Bob spends most of the film dressed up like a decoy Beetlejuice, sadly leading to his demise. When Beetlejuice’s ex Delores—herself a visual callback to Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas—spots Bob wearing her ex-husband’s signature black and white striped suit, she sucks his soul from his body, leaving behind a wrinkled pile of skin.
Poor Bob. Such a loyal employee, murdered in his prime just for doing his job. He deserved better.
Both Characters Serve The Same Purpose
While Tim Burton hasn’t explicitly stated that Bob in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a nod to Bob the Goon from Batman, I have a hard time believing it’s a coincidence. For one thing both characters serve the same purpose. They both act as a sort of Igor for their respective employers, doing their every bidding dutifully and without question.
Both characters act as audience surrogates in scenes where the main villain needs to drop a bunch of exposition. For Batman‘s Bob, it’s listening patiently as the Joker explains his crazy plans. For Beetlejuice Beetlejuice‘s Bob, it’s having to sit through the Ghost with the Most’s backstory.
Oswald Cobblepot, Is That You?
Interestingly, Tim Burton put more than one Batman Easter egg in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The film begins with a cameo from Danny DeVito as an afterlife janitor. Listen closely to his lines, and you’ll notice that DeVito uses his Penguin voice from Batman Returns.
Not only that, but he makes the same grunting noises and has goo dripping from his lips, just like he did in the 1992 classic.
Justice For Bob!
Meanwhile, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice‘s Bob has become a minor internet celebrity, with numerous TikToks dedicated to him. Most of these are variations on “RIP Bob” or “Justice for Bob.” The consensus among fans is that Bob didn’t deserve to go out the way he did—a sentiment shared by Batman fans regarding their Bob as well.
Ultimately, both Bobs serve to teach their audiences a harsh life lesson. No matter how hardworking or loyal you are, you’re always expendable as far as your boss is concerned. Rest in peace Bob.
