Alfred Gough explains how one of her quest for revenge.

With DeVito's ghost being one of the first new spirits that audiences meet in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Gough broke down the secrets of the brief cameo to Entertainment Weekly. Despite being a frequent creative collaborator to Burton, the role wasn't intended for the actor during writing, with the director later casting DeVito, though Gough looked forward to viewers seeing him so early on in the movie's runtime. Check out Gough's response below:

Tim called Danny and Danny said yes in a minute and came and did it, which was great. It's such a fun surprise in the movie right at the beginning... That's beyond my sleuthing purview for trailers.

How Long Have Danny DeVito & Tim Burton Worked Together

The Pair Have Crafted Iconic Characters Together

As of his appearance in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, DeVito has worked alongside Burton on five features to date. The pair first worked together on 1992's Batman Returns alongside the Ghost with the Most himself, Michael Keaton, where DeVito played a more animalistic version of comic book villain The Penguin. While not Burton's first choice for the character, the heavily German Expressionism-inspired reimagining of the character has since been celebrated as one of the Caped Crusader's best-adapted villains to the big screen, despite its liberties.

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How Tim Burton Convinced Danny DeVito To Play The Penguin

In Batman Returns, Danny DeVito delivers an iconic performance as the Penguin, but Tim Burton had to convince the actor to take the villainous role.

While DeVito would only make a brief cameo as a gambler amid the chaos of Mars Attacks!, he would receive a more substantial role as circus ringmaster Amos Calloway in Big Fish, one of Edward Bloom's (Ewan McGregor) many fantastic acquaintances who introduces him to Sandra (Alison Lohman). Finally, 16 years after Big Fish's release, DeVito reunited with Burton on 2019's live-action Dumbo adaptation, once more taking on the ing role of another ringmaster, this time playing Max Medici. While his roles, including Beetlejuice Beetlejuice's janitor have varied in size, both creatives greatly respect one another.

Though brief, DeVito's inclusion in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a fun addition for viewers familiar with Burton and the actor's history. Alongside Keaton, he is one of Burton's most memorable recurring stars, and his ghost isn't only memorable but helps set the stakes of Betelgeuse's story. As such, while DeVito is a beloved, highly recognizable star, his appearance doesn't feel overpowering and fits naturally into the movie.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Film Poster

Your Rating

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
PG-13
Comedy
Supernatural
Fantasy
Horror
Release Date
September 6, 2024
Runtime
104 Minutes
Director
Tim Burton

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

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 ed by Jenna Ortega in a new role.

Writers
Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Mike Vukadinovich, Seth Grahame-Smith, Michael McDowell, Larry Wilson
Studio(s)
KatzSmith Productions, Tim Burton Productions, Warner Bros. Pictures, Plan B Entertainment
Distributor(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Main Genre
Comedy