Beetlejuice 2 Confirms Its Replacement For The Original Movie’s Controversial Michael Keaton Scene

The latest Beetlejuice 2 trailer reveals the sequel’s replacement scene for a questionable Michael Keaton moment in the 1988 original movie. For a PG movie, Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice was able to get away with crossing boundaries of what’s suitable for kids in his 1988 horror-comedy, though it makes sense given the PG-13 rating had only recently been introduced in 1984. Still, for those rewatching Beetlejuice today, there are inevitably questions about how the sexual innuendo, dark and mature subject matter, and Michael Keaton’s iconic f-bomb passed PG requirements.

Michael Keaton dropping an f-bomb in a PG movie may seem somewhat controversial today given current guidelines for ratings, but his character yelling “Nice f***ing model!” remains one of Beetlejuice’s most iconic moments. Proving the impactful nature of that scene, the 2024 sequel isn’t dropping the franchise’s adult themes and strong language to fit into a PG rating again. Instead, Beetlejuice 2 is confirmed to have a PG-13 rating. This rating generally allows a movie one use of the f-word, with Beetlejuice 2’s new trailer already confirming when that shocking moment will come in the story.

Beetlejuice 2’s Trailer Reveals Michael Keaton’s New F-Bomb Scene

Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice Drops The F-Bomb Again In The Sequel

Michael Keaton proves he still has the juice 36 years later, and his comedic timing is better than ever as he closes out Beetlejuice 2‘s second trailer by teasing the sequel’s replacement f-bomb moment. Instead of kicking over a tree and sarcastically saying “Nice f***ing model,” Michael Keaton’s return in Beetlejuice 2 sees the titular character reply “What the f***?” during the sequel’s new wedding scene. Of course, the profane word is bleeped out in the trailer, but that isn’t likely to be the case when Beetlejuice 2 releases in theaters on September 6.

It’s unclear exactly what causes Beetlejuice’s use of the f-word in the 2024 sequel, but the context of the trailer hints it’ll happen when Monica Bellucci’s Delores, Beetlejuice’s ex-wife, interrupts his wedding to Lydia Deetz. The trailers so far have revealed that Bellucci’s Beetlejuice 2 character is angrily searching for Beetlejuice throughout the afterlife in the 2024 sequel, with Willem Dafoe’s afterlife detective Wolf Jackson tracking both of them down. When Delores finally finds Beetlejuice, it seems his first reaction will be a surprised “What the f***?”

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Beetlejuice 2: New & Returning Cast & Character Guide

Several iconic actors from the original are returning for Beetlejuice 2, and they’ll be joined in the sequel by exciting new additions to the cast.

What Beetlejuice 2 Being PG-13 Instead Of PG Means For Its Box Office

Beetlejuice 2’s More Restricted Audience Can Still Lead To A Big Box Office Haul

While Beetlejuice 2 being rated PG-13 means it’ll maintain the dark humor and mature charm of the original, it could potentially end up hindering its box office draw. Beetlejuice’s original PG rating meant younger audiences could be targeted more to attend the film, which may have contributed to the 1988 horror-comedy’s box office success. While the main target demographic for Beetlejuice 2 will likely be audiences between the ages of 20–55, a PG rating could have boosted its commercial prospects with more family-friendly horror movies before Halloween.

Notably, Disney’s 2023 Haunted Mansion remake bombed in theaters after jumping from the original’s PG rating to a PG-13 label, but Beetlejuice also has a loyal cult following that may combat this potential disadvantage. Additionally, Warner Bros’ 2023 Barbie movie made over $1.4 billion at the box office with a PG-13 rating. With the exception of Jaws, the top highest-grossing horror movies of all time have R or PG-13 ratings, so Beetlejuice 2’s box office shouldn’t be hindered by its departure from the original film.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

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.

Release Date

September 6, 2024

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures