In a refreshing break from Hollywood’s relentless push to conform to politically correct standards, Michael Keaton, the iconic actor who brought the mischievous and chaotic character of Beetlejuice to life in the 1988 classic, is making it clear: the Beetlejuice of old isn’t changing to fit the woke mold of today’s entertainment landscape. Keaton’s stance is a breath of fresh air for fans who have grown weary of beloved characters being reimagined to satisfy the ever-growing demands of political correctness.
Keaton recently affirmed that he would only reprise his role as Beetlejuice in the sequel if the character remained true to his original form—minimal screen time and all. In an interview with GQ, the actor emphasized that Beetlejuice’s charm lies in his unpredictable and chaotic presence, not in dominating the story. “The idea was, no, no, no, you can’t load it up with Beetlejuice, that’ll kill it,” Keaton said. “He’s more part of the storyline in this one as opposed to the first one, which is a case of, this thing comes in and drives the movie a little bit.”
Keaton’s comments come at a time when Hollywood is increasingly criticized for altering classic characters to fit modern sensibilities. However, Keaton remains unapologetic in his portrayal of Beetlejuice as an irreverent, untamed force, uninterested in conforming to today’s politically correct standards. He even addressed the character’s gender identity in a way that rejects modern societal trends. “He’s a thing. He’s more of a thing than a he or a she, he’s more of an it. And I’m not saying ‘it’ to be politically correct. I just viewed it as a force more than anything. I mean, there’s definitely strong male energy, like stupid male energy, which I love,” Keaton explained.
This commitment to authenticity is further reflected in the approach to the film’s production. Keaton and director Tim Burton, known for his unique and imaginative style, intentionally decided to keep the sequel as handmade as possible, avoiding the overuse of modern CGI technology. “The one thing that [Burton] and I decided on early, early, early on from the beginning, if we ever did it again, I was totally not interested in doing something where there was too much technology. It had to feel handmade,” Keaton said. This decision is a nod to the film’s original charm and a rejection of Hollywood’s growing reliance on computer-generated imagery, which Keaton believes distances audiences from the story.
In an age where many franchises cave to the pressures of modern agendas, Keaton’s commitment to preserving the integrity of Beetlejuice is a standout. It’s a stance that contrasts sharply with recent missteps by other major entertainment brands. Take, for example, the disastrous reception of “The Acolyte,” a Star Wars spin-off that tried to infuse woke elements into a once-beloved franchise. The show was canceled after just one season, with an embarrassing 18% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, a clear sign that fans are fed up with such forced changes.
As anticipation builds for the Beetlejuice sequel, fans can rest assured that Michael Keaton is standing his ground, ensuring that this iconic character remains true to his roots. In a world where so much of entertainment is being watered down to meet the demands of political correctness, Keaton’s approach is not just refreshing—it’s necessary.
