The disturbing reason why Jeffrey Jones is not in 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice'

When 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' was announced, everyone knew it would be a hit, just like Tim Burton's original film in 1988. However, the man in this photo wasn't in the sequel.

Bringing back familiar characters like Lydia (Winona Ryder), Delia (Catherine O'Hara) and Beetlejuice himself (Michael Keaton) has been a great move. Therefore, some have asked themselves the question: why doesn't Jeffrey Jones appear in the role of Charles Deetz?

Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures

In this sequel, Tim Burton and his team have managed to bring back the character, but they make sure that his appearances do not require the presence of the actor. They either replace the original actor by replacing him with a clay doll or by making him go to the underworld without a head. Why didn't they just cast Jeffrey Jones?

The reason is as gruesome as it is logical. As reported by People in 2003, the actor was caught having prohibited materials with children in them, as he was meeting with a 14-year-old boy to take photos of him. Jones did not deny the charges.

At the time, Jeffrey Jones was sentenced to five years probation, therapy, and a lifelong registration as an offender, Entertainment Weekly notes.

However, by 2010, Jeffrey Jones had not completed his duty of registering as an offender. That's when his years of probation, on top of hours of community service, became an issue. He ended up getting three years in the can after all.

By then, his career had already ended. Jones' last relevant role was that of AW Merrick in the successful series 'Deadwood' (2003-06).

Watching the development of the new 'Beetlejuice' film, it is clear that Tim Burton and the production company were interested in continuing the character that played a big part in the plot. However, bringing back Jeffrey Jones for the role of Charles was not an option.

None of the sequel's stars, neither those who participated in the original film (Winona Ryder or Catherine O'Hara), nor the newcomers (Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci, Justin Theroux or Willem Dafoe) have spoken about Jones' absence in the promotion of the film.

Others who did not return were Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin. As the actress explained in 2022, she would find it difficult to play a ghost after aging so much. After all, ghosts are not supposed to get any older.

Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures

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