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As people flocked to the theatres in September for the highly anticipatedBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, a sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 supernatural comedy movie, they relived the nostalgia by watching Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder. The sequel has introduced some fresh faces like Jenna Ortega, and Justin Theroux, yet, fans couldn’t help but notice the absence of Jeffrey Jones.
Amidst the star-studded cast, Jones’ absence seemed to pique the curiosity of fans. Moreover, the filmmaker found a way to work around the character’s absence, which left everyone even more puzzled. So why wasn’t Jones included in the movie?
Why Jeffrey Jones Wasn’t Cast inBeetlejuice Beetlejuice
Jeffrey Jones’ was excluded from the sequel, primarily due to his criminal record which surfaced more than two decades ago. In 2002, the actor was reportedly arrested for possession of child prngraphy.
A year after that, he pleaded no contest and was made to serve five years on probation, with mandatory counseling. Therefore, he’s registered as a s*x offender for a lifetime. He opened up about the remorse he felt for his actions, saying that he would never repeat them (viaMirror).
This concludes a really painful chapter in my life. I am sorry that this incident was allowed to occur. Such an event has never happened before and it will never happen again
These charges have severely affected his career and tainted his reputation to the point of no repair. Now, he is one of the most controversial figures in Hollywood. So even thoughBeetlejuice Beetlejuicehas paid homage to the original cast, they made a conscious and deliberate choice to keep him away from the movie, to avoid legal trouble and backlash.
Miles Millar, who co-wrote the film briefly spoke about how Charles Deetz was still included but only referenced indirectly. They had a stop-motion sequence where his demise is addressed in a humorous way (viaMovieweb).
The lore behind his death says that Charles was decapitated by a shark after a plane crash, which is a quirky and smart way to exclude a character without making it suspicious. This creative workaround was great because it allowed the filmmakers to honor the character without involving Jones in the picture.
Other Charges Against Jeffrey Jones
Even after his initial conviction,Jeffrey Jones’ legal troubles did not stop. He was arrested in 2004 because he failed to update his status as a registered s*x offender. Doing so is a requirement mandated in his original sentences (viaToday Celebrities). So he pleaded guilty to these charges and paid a hefty penalty.
He did the same in 2010 and was made to work 250 hours worth of community service, along with three years of probation. By that time, he had completed five years of probation, and counseling, but not registering himself couldn’t be excused in California (ViaCBS News).
Such repeated offenses keep the person’s criminal history in the public eye, especially when they are famous. Jones went on to do a couple more movies, and was given the opportunity to work inDeadwood: The Movie (2019)andMy Brothers’ Crossing(2020). But his presence has become minimal in the industry, compared to what it was in his heyday.
Jones’s legal troubles have now become an inescapable part of his legacy, and they have overshadowed the impact he had in films like the originalBeetlejuiceandFerris Bueller’s Day Off.He has attempted to move on from this image, but the criminal records have turned him into a polarizing figure.
Not reviving his character for the sequel was an appropriate move by the filmmakers because Jones’ presence would most likely lead to a lot of backlash and hate, outweighing any nostalgic value that his character could have brought to the project.
Jeffrey Jones’ Role in the OriginalBeetlejuice
In the originalBeetlejuice, Jeffrey Jones brought humor and charm to the role of Charles Deetz, a city-slicker husband and father trying to adjust to life in a haunted countryside home. His comedic chemistry with Catherine O’Hara as Delia Deetz was one of the highlights of the movie, as it balanced the film’s eccentric tone with moments of relatability.
Charles Deetz was shown to be driven by a desire for peace and prosperity, often clashing with Delia’s avant-garde ambitions and Lydia’s morbid fascination with the supernatural. Jones’ performance added even more depth to the dysfunctional Deetz family, making their interactions with the Maitlands and Betelgeuse quite compelling.
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The success of Jones’ portrayal inBeetlejuicewas instrumental in solidifying the film’s status as a cult classic. His comedic timing and ability to navigate the absurdity of Burton’s vision contributed significantly to the movie’s overall appeal. However, as much as the actor’s performance is remembered fondly, his legal issues have left an indelible mark.
InBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, the absence of Charles Deetz creates a noticeable void, but the filmmakers skillfully address it with a mix of humor and creativity. The shark attack backstory serves as a fitting nod to the character’s larger-than-life personality, ensuring his presence is felt even without Jones on screen.
Beetlejuice BeetlejuiceFilling the Void with Fresh Faces and Familiar Ones
The absence of Jeffrey Jones wasn’t so bothersome because the sequel was able to effortlessly weave together several characters, both new and old.Michael Keaton’sreturn was a delightful surprise, as he brought the same manic energy that made the original movie a cult classic.
Moreover, it was amazing to seeWinona Ryderreturn as Lydia Deetz because she was all grown up now, and still wielding a great gothic look with ease.Jenna Ortegaplayed Lydia’s daughter, and she was just as sharp-witted and rebellious! People were eager to see them play the mother-daughter duo and wanted to witness another collaboration between Burton and Ortega afterWednesday.
“It’s the most WTF moment of the movie”: This Jenna Ortega Scene From Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is Just Creepy and Disturbing
The novel cast perfectly complemented the original ones’ eccentricities, and no one was overshadowed. All of this pleasant chaos, combined with Burton’s signature style direction tapped into the audience’s nostalgia, even when Jeffrey Jones wasn’t a part of the project.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuicewill be available to stream on HBO Max from December 6.
Sonika Kamble
Articles Published :1195
Sonika Kamble is an entertainment writer at Fandomwire, covering everything from timeless classics to newly released movies. With over 1000+ articles published, she delves into breakdowns, think pieces, speculations, and more.She enjoys connecting the dots and covering newfound angles about characters, scenes, and themes from movies directed by Scorsese, Fincher, Tarantino, Linklater, and other exceptional filmmakers.
