Beetlejuice Sequel Character Deserves a Spinoff Series
The universe of Beetlejuice is filled with vibrant and captivating characters, but one standout introduced in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice deserves a dedicated spinoff that I would eagerly watch. Tim Burton delighted audiences by releasing a sequel to his 1988 masterpiece, Beetlejuice, more than thirty years after the original’s debut. The sequel, aptly named Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, brings back beloved characters Lydia (Winona Ryder) and Delia Deetz (Catherine O’Hara), who return to Winter River alongside Lydia’s partner, Rory (Justin Theroux), and her estranged daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), following the death of Charles Deetz.
Upon their return to Winter River, Astrid becomes ensnared in a trap and is whisked away into the Neitherworld, prompting Lydia to summon Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) for assistance. The infamous bio-exorcist is willing to help, but not without a steep price, all while evading his wrathful ex-wife, Delores (Monica Bellucci). Alongside the remaining Deetz family, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice introduces a host of new characters, both living and deceased, including Wolf Jackson (Willem Dafoe)—a character I would genuinely love to see explored further in a spinoff.
A Spinoff Centered on Willem Dafoe’s Wolf Jackson Would Be Amazing
Wolf Jackson: A Character Full of Potential
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice unfolds across both the realm of the living and the mysterious Neitherworld, highlighting key plot elements such as Lydia’s bond with Astrid, Astrid’s unfortunate entrapment by Jeremy (Arthur Conti), and Delores’s desire for vengeance against Beetlejuice for his role in her demise (after she poisoned him, leading to his death). Delores’s quest for revenge creates turmoil in the Neitherworld, prompting detective Wolf Jackson to take on the investigation. Wolf Jackson, once a B-movie action star in his living days, continues to embody that persona in the afterlife, filled with over-the-top antics and behaviors reminiscent of a high-octane crime film.
Now a prominent figure in the Neitherworld, Jackson leads the Afterlife Crimes Unit, having solved numerous cases throughout his tenure. In Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, he is tasked with capturing Delores and later shifts his focus to apprehending Beetlejuice when he abducts Lydia into the Neitherworld in a bid to rescue Astrid. Toward the film’s climax, Jackson and his fellow officers arrive at a church just as Beetlejuice is about to wed Lydia, only to be frozen in place by Beetlejuice, allowing him to perform his extravagant “MacArthur Park” musical number uninterrupted.
More of Dafoe’s Wolf Jackson in
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
would have been fantastic, especially if we could delve deeper into his intriguing backstory.
Despite his limited screen time in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Wolf Jackson undeniably steals the spotlight whenever he appears. His lively and humorous demeanor, complemented by his B-movie action-star flair, makes him a captivating character to watch. I would have relished more scenes featuring Dafoe’s Wolf Jackson in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, especially if we could explore his fascinating backstory further. A compelling way to achieve this would be through a dedicated spinoff series.
Envisioning a Beetlejuice Spinoff Set in the Neitherworld
Why Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Sets the Stage for an Ideal Spinoff
The Beetlejuice universe is expansive and whimsical enough to be explored in various formats—take, for instance, the animated TV series that aired from 1989 to 1991. However, the most promising option today is undoubtedly a spinoff set in the Neitherworld. Unlike conventional portrayals of the afterlife, the Neitherworld in Beetlejuice features a surreal bureaucracy, where the deceased navigate through endless paperwork and either work there or board the Soul Train to the Great Beyond.
Related
Michael Keaton & Winona Ryder’s Beetlejuice 2 Story Pays Off Tim Burton’s 35-Year-Old Horror Spinoff Show
Beetlejuice 2 will feature a new character dynamic for Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder which could potentially mirror another Tim Burton project.
The sequel to Beetlejuice not only showcases the waiting room and various offices within the Neitherworld but also introduces an entire police unit dedicated to managing the unique situations that arise there. A Beetlejuice spinoff could delve into the Neitherworld’s eccentricities, highlighting the bizarre ways in which new arrivals find themselves in the waiting room—whether it be due to outlandish accidents like being half-eaten by a shark or having unusual items lodged in their throats. This premise naturally positions Wolf Jackson as the ideal lead character for such a series.
