Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: Delia Deetz’s Grim End and the Intriguing Parallels to the Original Film

Delia Deetz meets a tragic end in the latest installment of the Beetlejuice franchise, a development that starkly contrasts the macabre yet comedic tone of the original film directed by Tim Burton. The story line in ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,’ the sequel featuring Michael Keaton, includes a dark twist that offers a new interpretation of a memorable scene from the original movie released in 1988.

In the sequel, Delia Deetz, a character who returns with several other original cast members, dies not due to the spirit Betelgeuse, as some may expect, but rather because of an accident during a ceremonial act. Actress Catherine O’Hara reprises her role as Delia, who meets her demise while handling venomous snakes as part of a ritual for her partner, Charles, portrayed by Jeffrey Jones in the original film. Mistakenly thinking the snakes were not dangerous, Delia is bitten, resulting in her death and subsequent transition to the afterlife.

The film draws an intriguing parallel to a scene from Tim Burton’s original movie, where Delia and Charles were given snakes by Betelgeuse as part of a chaotic marriage proposal involving Lydia (played by Winona Ryder). While there is no direct narrative link, the recurrence of deadly snakes is a nod to the past events, highlighting Betelgeuse’s penchant for using snakes, which he even transforms into in a particular sequence.

The concept of Betelgeuse being unable to say his name is another enduring aspect retained from the original, accentuating the character’s enigmatic nature as a demon rather than a ghost. This adds a layer of comedic tension as the character navigates rules that govern his ghostly misadventures.

‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ not only revives nostalgia but also incorporates youth with the introduction of Jenna Ortega, indicating a blend of old and new elements in its storytelling. It will be interesting for fans to see how these thematic connections develop as the film is set for release on September 6, 2024.

Produced by KatzSmith Productions and Tim Burton Productions with Warner Bros. Pictures, the project has been long anticipated, following decades of rumors about a sequel to the 1988 classic. Original writers Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson are credited along with new contributors Alfred Gough and Seth Grahame-Smith, among others, to bring this story anew. The film boasts a diversified cast including Monica Bellucci, Justin Theroux, and a returning assemblage of other characters that promise to add fresh dimensions to the Beetlejuice saga.