Beetlejuice 2 Hints At Another OG Character Death (I Really Hope It’s Not True) (2024)

Warner Bros’ new trailer for Beetlejuice 2 hints at the unexpected death of a returning character, which would make for a devastating twist. Death in a movie like Beetlejuice is all around, but the original film didn’t include any “surprise” deaths connected to the Deetz family and those battling Michael Keaton’s titular “bio-exorcist.” Rather, the only deaths occurred in the opening sequence when Alec Baldwin’s Adam and Geena Davis’ Barbara Maitland died in a car accident, thus inciting the 1988 film’s plot and exploration of the afterlife.

So far, one death of an original character has already been confirmed for the 2024 sequel, but it didn’t come as much of a surprise. The first trailer for Beetlejuice 2 confirmed Jeffrey Jones’ Charles Deetz dies at the start of the sequel, which is why Lydia, Delia, and Astrid Deetz are brought back to Winter River. However, despite there only being three returning characters confirmed for Beetlejuice 2 (Winona Ryder’s Lydia, Catherine O’Hara’s Delia, and Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice), the official trailer hints that a second original character’s death may shockingly be in store.

Beetlejuice 2's Trailer Hints Delia Deetz Might Die In The Sequel

Catherine O'Hara's character may not return to the land of the living still alive

A subtle detail in Beetlejuice 2’s official trailer suggests that Catherine O’Hara’s Delia Deetz may die in the Tim Burton-directed sequel. After returning to Winter River for the funeral of her recently deceased husband, the matriarch of Beetlejuice’s Deetz family can be seen sitting by some new ghosts in the Neitherworld waiting room. While this may seem innocuous given the notion that Jenna Ortega’s Astrid is also seen visiting the afterlife location, the theory around Delia’s potential death is supported by the curious scars and blood visible on her neck during that scene.

When looking closely, it appears that Delia has a snake bite-like injury on her neck, which could have killed her and sent her to the afterlife. Of course, it’s possible that this detail is a red herring in Beetlejuice 2’s trailer, as it’s suggested that the Deetz family women recruit Michael Keaton’s devious character to help rescue Astrid from mistakenly landing in the afterlife. Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice never featured a scene of the living characters taking a trip to the Neitherworld or even the sandworm-infested dunes of Saturn, so the teases of the Deetzes heading to this realm in the sequel come with plenty of questions.

However, with Delia Deetz being one of the most iconic characters in the original movie, there's hope that she doesn't meet a grim fate in Beetlejuice 2. Not only would this make the hope for a return in a potential Beetlejuice 3 movie less likely, but it gives her less freedom within the remainder of the sequel if it proves to be true. Of course, the original Beetlejuice movie already established that the dead remain in the house where they perished for 125 years, and it seemed like Delia would rather live anywhere other than Winter River for her eternal rest. Delia certainly has her flaws, but it would be disappointing to see her sentenced to living alone for 125 years in the Deetz/Maitland home.

Beetlejuice 2's Setting May Have A Different Explanation For Delia's Neck "Injury"

Beetlejuice 2 is a holiday-themed sequel

The trailer for Beetlejuice 2 also caused some confusion around whether Jenna Ortega’s Astrid was dead in the sequel, given her presence in the afterlife, ghostly pale appearance, and wedding dress reminiscent of the one Barbara wore in the 1988 horror-comedy. However, it seems that her appearance was subtly explained by the holiday setting of Beetlejuice 2, as the sequel takes place on Halloween. Consequently, it’s quite possible that Astrid and Delia’s deadly appearances are actually Halloween costumes.

Delia seems to have two teeth-sized holes in her neck with blood dripping down from them, which could suggest that she went as a vampire victim for Halloween. Delia became far more interested in the occult alongside Beetlejuice’s character Otho after their run-ins with the ghostly Maitlands and Beetlejuice himself, so it’s not too far out of left field to suggest that she may have taken up an interest in vampires. Since the Deetzes likely had to open up their Winter River house for trick-or-treaters on Halloween, it's more believable that her neck “injury” is her morbid way of dressing up for the holiday rather than an actual indication of her death.

Delia's Death Would Make Her Beetlejuice's Real Replacement For Adam & Barbara

The Winter River house would always have a ghost to haunt it

While it would be sad to see Catherine O’Hara’s character die in Beetlejuice 2, this potential fate could still give her an intriguing role similar to the Maitlands in the original film. It’s unclear whether Lydia and Astrid intend to remain in Winter River after Charles’ death, but if they do, Delia could still stick around and “haunt” the home with her stepdaughter and granddaughter living there as well. However, it doesn't seem like Charles will stay in the Winter River house after his death, so Delia would likely be the only ghost there.

With Adam and Barbara seemingly having found a way to cross over early and break their 125-year sentence at the house, Delia may enjoy the ability to simply stay in the house and continue building sculptures and art pieces. This is what the Maitlands did as they continued their work on the town model, and Delia could actually sell her work as a unique pieces from the deceased. Hopefully, however, she wouldn’t be bothered by Michael Keaton’s demonic character after the events of Beetlejuice 2.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Comedy

Supernatural

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the sequel to the original Tim Burton classic that starred Michael Keaton and Wynona Rider in a horror-comedy that involved ghosts trying to scare off new homebuyers from taking their house. The sequel brings back Michael Keaton as the hilarious and sleazy ghost with selfish intentions, now joined by Jenna Ortega in a new role.

Director

Tim Burton

Release Date

September 6, 2024

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Cast

Michael Keaton , Jenna Ortega , Winona Ryder , Monica Bellucci , Willem Dafoe , Justin Theroux , Catherine O'Hara