Beetlejuice Beetle was initially planned to be a Max exclusive: ‘That was never going to work’

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Beetlejuice Beetle was initially planned to be a Max exclusive: 'That was never going to work'

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experiencing the highs and lows of various mediums, I must say that the decision to bring Beetlejuice Beetlejuice to the silver screen was nothing short of genius. I’ve seen many films that started life as streaming exclusives, and while they certainly have their place, there is something undeniably magical about watching a movie like this in a theater.

In just two weeks after its debut, “Beetlejuice” shattered box office records, earning a staggering $264 million for Warner Bros. This blockbuster success followed the 1988 original’s sequel, which had initially planned to premiere directly on Max. However, director Tim Burton intervened during production by making a strategic financial adjustment, demonstrating his authority over how his work is presented and ultimately concluded.

In simple terms, we can say that Burton made a good call in his decision due to the massive success of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice on stage, suggesting that it could be one of the top films in 2024. While my prediction might be off the mark, the sequel’s earnings of over $200 million make it highly probable.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was first pitched to be a Max exclusive

Originally, the spooky-funny movie was intended for exclusive screening on Max. It features Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, and Michael Keaton revisiting their iconic roles as beloved undead beings from the initial release. Joining the cast is Jenny Ortega, who takes on the role of Lydia’s daughter in Beetlejuice. Similar to her mother, she wholeheartedly adopts a gothic lifestyle and all things supernatural.

It’s not implausible that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is an exclusive release, given that streaming platforms have become the main source of entertainment for audiences since the COVID-19 pandemic restructured the industry. This way, you can enjoy the movie from the comfort of your home and save on costly theater concessions. Plus, you’ll avoid the distracting conversations of fellow moviegoers that often mar the cinema experience.

Instead, Burton aimed for his production to capture the unique vision that only theaters could offer because the special effects in his films were best experienced in their peak quality on large screens. It simply wasn’t feasible for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice to be confined to Max alone.

As per The Times’ September 16th article about the film, Pamela Abdy, a co-chair at Warner Bros., emphasized her belief that Tim Burton’s skills and artistic abilities need to be showcased on the big screen initially.

[Going only to Max] was never going to work for Tim [Burton]. You’re talking about a visionary artist whose films demand to be seen on a big screen.

To theatrically release “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” adjustments to the budget were necessary. The film’s original production cost was $147 million, primarily due to actors, producers, and production expenses. However, director Tim Burton and his team, including the cast, agreed to accept smaller paychecks, which helped reduce the budget to a more manageable $99 million. This decision proved beneficial for Burton as the movie became a significant Box Office success, a financial boon for Warner Bros., and is expected to generate substantial returns and royalties following its release.

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2024-09-19 17:14