Ahead of "Beetlejuice 2," Here's What the Original Film's Iconic Cast Has Been Up to Since 1988

Updated on 5/12/2023 at 8:05 AM

A "Beetlejuice" sequel is coming to theaters in 2024, and its star-studded cast includes original cast members Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara. The sequel won't feature only familiar faces, though; "Wednesday" star Jenna Ortega is joining the cast as Ryder's character's daughter, and Justin Theroux will also appear in an unknown role. While we wait to see what creepy events the sequel has in store for us, there's never been a better time to rewatch Tim Burton's original 1988 masterpiece or to revisit the icons who brought it to life.

The original "Beetlejuice" is a mainstay on lists of classic '80s scary movies, as well as an early highlight on the list of Winona Ryder cult classics. The film, which has also since been turned into a Broadway musical, follows Barbara and Adam Maitland (Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin), who find themselves stranded as ghosts in their country home after they die in a car crash. When the Deetz family – including a teenage daughter played by Ryder — moves in, the Maitlands do their best to scare the new occupants away, and their antics soon attract a chaotic spirit named Beetlejuice (Keaton).

Like any Burton-helmed flick, the film's unique characters are brought to life by a great cast. But what happened to the actors after the movie hit theaters? Here's a peek into what the cast of "Beetlejuice" have been up to.

Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice

Michael Keaton Now

It's unimaginable that anyone but Michael Keaton could play the obnoxious and sleazy titular bio-exorcist Betelgeuse. One year after "Beetlejuice," he donned the cape and cowl to play the Caped Crusader in Tim Burton's "Batman" and "Batman Returns." He made a comeback in 2014 with his Oscar-nominated role in "Birdman," and in 2017, he took on yet another role in a superhero movie, as the villainous Vulture in "Spiderman: Homecoming." He's since starred in 2020's "The Trial of the Chicago 7," 2021's "Dopesick," and 2022's "Morbius," and took home his first Emmy for "Dopesick." He also returns as Batman in 2023's "The Flash," and he'll of course reprise his "Beetlejuice" role in the sequel.

Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz

Winona Ryder Now

Winona Ryder was still a teenager when she scored the sweet role of the goth Deetz daughter in "Beetlejuice," but was already well on her way to becoming a star. Subsequent starring roles in movies like "Heathers," "Little Women" (which got her an Oscar nomination), "Edward Scissorhands" (which reunited her with director Tim Burton), and "Girl, Interrupted" basically cemented Ryder as the queen of '80s and '90s movies.

Her career is still going strong — she played Spock's mother in the Chris Pine-helmed Star Trek reboot in 2009 and starred alongside Keanu Reeves in 2018's "Destination Wedding," and she's currently playing Joyce Byers in a little Netflix show you might have heard of called "Stranger Things." She'll also return for the "Beetlejuice" sequel.

Catherine O'Hara as Delia Deetz

Catherine O'Hara Now

Catherine O'Hara's memorable role as the drama queen (with questionable decorative taste) Delia Deetz in "Beetlejuice" was just one role at the beginning of a long Hollywood career. Two years later, she became the big screen's most forgetful mother as Kate McAllister in "Home Alone" and its sequel. She has since had numerous TV and movie roles, including her iconic portrayal of Moira Rose in the beloved "Schitt's Creek" series, which earned her an Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series in 2020. She'll also grace the "Beetlejuice" sequel with her presence.

Geena Davis as Barbara Maitland

Geena Davis Now

Geena Davis already had some movie roles under her belt by the time she portrayed Barbara Maitland in 1988, but her career kept on going strong afterward — in fact, she won an Oscar in the same year for her role in "The Accidental Tourist." Davis is no stranger to playing badass women characters, such as in "Thelma and Louise," "A League of Their Own," and "Commander in Chief," to name a few of her projects. She also played Angela Rance in the first season of "The Exorcist" in 2016 and has since appeared in projects like "Grey's Anatomy" and "GLOW."

It's not looking like Davis will return for the "Beetlejuice" sequel, though, as her name hasn't appeared in any reports about the movie's cast. Unless "Beetlejuice 2" takes place in the Maitlands's former home once again, it wouldn't make much sense for her character to return, which is probably the reason behind her likely absence.

Alec Baldwin as Adam Maitland

Alec Baldwin Now

One-half of the hapless Maitland ghost couple, Adam was one of Alec Baldwin's first early starring roles back in 1988. Since then, Baldwin has had a successful career in movies and TV (you probably remember he was in "The Hunt For Red October," but how about "Pearl Harbor"?)

And just when we all thought Baldwin's most memorable TV role would be the smooth-talking Jack Donaghy on "30 Rock," he surprised us all with his iconic portrayal of Donald Trump on "Saturday Night Live," a role that won him an Emmy in 2017.

In 2021, Baldwin unfortunately fired a prop gun that injured director Joel Souza and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of his movie "Rust" in Santa Fe, NM. The actor was charged with involuntary manslaughter, though the charges were dropped in April 2023, per ABC News, and Baldwin has since returned to the "Rust" set.

Like his onscreen wife Davis, Baldwin likely will not return for "Beetlejuice 2."

Glenn Shadix as Otho

Glenn Shadix in 2003

The Deetzes' narcissistic interior designer Otho Fenlock was one of Shadix's early (and most well-known) roles, but he later appeared on several TV shows including "Cheers," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." He also had numerous movie roles, including in Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and 2001's "Planet of the Apes." Shadix died in 2010 at the age of 58.