Some fans of “Beetlejuice” may find it surprising why the father from the original film is absent in the new sequel.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is the follow-up to Tim Burton’s 1988 classic and marks the return of the famous ghost, portrayed by Michael Keaton.
Winona Ryder reprises her role as Lydia Deetz, now an adult, while Jenna Ortega plays her daughter.
Additionally, Catherine O’Hara returns as Delia’s stepmother.
The sequel also features new cast members such as Willem Dafoe, Justin Theroux, and Monica Bellucci.
Check out the trailer below:
Jeffrey Jones, who played Lydia’s father in the original film, does not appear in the sequel.
The 77-year-old hasn’t publicly addressed his absence from “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” but his career trajectory took a turn after his 2002 arrest.
In 2003, Jones pleaded no contest to charges of possessing child pornography.
He was sentenced to five years probation, counseling, and required to register as a sex offender for life.
At the time, he reportedly said: “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.”
However, he was arrested again in 2004 and 2010 for failing to update his status as a sex offender.
The “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” actor pleaded guilty and received additional community service and probation.
In “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” the film begins with the Deetz family mourning the death of Jones’ character at a funeral.
Despite these issues, Jones has continued to act, appearing as A.W. Merrick in “Deadwood: The Movie” in 2019 and starring in “My Brothers’ Crossing” in 2020.
As for the new film, it appears to be well-received by fans, with one viewer commenting: “As good if not better than the first that is saying a lot!!”
Another viewer added: “VERY RARE does a sequel to a classic come close to the original but here we are. It’s JUST as fun as the first one. Laughs from beginning to end.”
A third viewer wrote: “The storyline was great! The movie has many familiar and new characters. The action is fast-paced and quite entertaining, with wildly funny scenes. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”