Beetlejuice Beetlejuicefeatured the return of many beloved characters fromTim Burton’s original movie. However, one notable character not in the sequel is Otho Fenlock, who was played by actor Glenn Shadix. Otho made a remarkable impression as Delia’s interior designer/paranormal expert in the first film and would have been a welcome addition to thestory ofBeetlejuice 2.
Though Otho doesn’t appear in the sequel, the film seems to have filled the void left behind with the introduction ofJustin Theroux’s character, Rory. Nevertheless, one can’t help but wonder what could’ve been had Shadix starred inBeetlejuice Beetlejuice. It is unlikely that Otho would want to associate himself with the Deetz after the events of the first film, but Shadix and his character left such a huge impression inBeetlejuicethat can still be felt in the sequel decades later.
Otho Actor Glenn Shadix Passed Away In 2010
Glenn Shadix Died After Working With Tim Burton Two More Times
In 2010,Shadix died from blunt trauma at age 58, having fallen in his condo and receiving a fatal blow to the head. Beetlejuice Beetlejuicewas in the planning stages for decades, and Shadix was still acting around the time of his passing. It was possible for the actor to return as Otho had the sequel been filmed sooner. Also, since his role as Otho jumpstarted his acting career, it’s unlikely that Shadix wouldn’t have returned for the sequel.
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It was even more likely that Shadix would’ve reprised his iconic character, given the professional relationship he had with Tim Burton. Following his breakout appearance inBeetlejuice,Shadix collaborated with Burton on two more films before his death. He played the Mayor of Halloween Town in the Burton-produced stop-motion filmThe Nightmare Before Christmasand Senator Nado in the 2001 remake ofPlanet of the Apes.
Beetlejuice 2 Doesn’t Reference Otho, But Delia Hints At Past Friendships
It’s Unlikely That The Deetzs Forgot About Otho In Beetlejuice 2
Beetlejuice Beetlejuiceheavily references the late Charles Deetz with his extravagant death and funeral. This plot point worked around the real-life death ofBeetlejuiceactor Jeffrey Jones. However,Burton’s successful sequel didn’t directly mention Otho’s character at all, which leaves his status in the franchise open for debate following Shadix’s death.
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Despite Otho’s absence in the sequel, the filmdoes hint at the Deetzes' friends who are present and not present at Charles' funeral. Though this somber event featured several mourners, it is mentioned that Charles’s boss, Maxie Dean, wasn’t at the funeral. As a result, Delia exclaimed,“No one’s here yet,“indicating that no one that she considers a friend or associate was there, implying Otho was absent as well.
The Original Beetlejuice’s Ending May Have Teased What Happened To Otho
After Meeting Beetlejuice, Otho Likely Never Wanted Anything To Do With Ghosts
It’s very likely that Otho cut himself off from the Deetz family following his terrifying encounter with Beetlejuice in the original film.Otho was last seen in the movie storming out of the Deetz house in fright, having been changed into a summer suit by Beetlejuice, which the"fashionable"Otho found hideous. Such a humorous prank sent Otho running for the hills, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he didn’t want anything to do with the Deetzes again.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s Otho Replacement Suffers The Exact Same Insulting Fate 36 Years Later
Otho remains a fan-favorite character from Tim Burton’s 1988 Beetlejuice movie, and the sequel fittingly pays homage to his fate with a new character.
Though it seemed like the Deetzes lost a family friend, Otho’s character hinted at the contrary. It was clear thatOtho had associated himself with the wealthy Charles and Delia to boost his career and ego. Like Rory in the second movie, he seemed to be a one-off antagonist who got taken down when things got too real for him and ghosts started targeting him.
The fact that Rory paid homage to Otho’s dubious character in the sequel showed how significant the latter was in theBeetlejuicefranchise.
The chances of Otho appearing inBeetlejuice Beetlejuicehad been all but squandered following Shadix’s untimely passing in 2010. Between his role in the original iconic film from the late 1980s and his long-standing working relationship with Burton, it isn’t difficult to imagine the actor joining his old co-stars and a new generation of actors in the sequel. Most importantly,Otho deserved a greater presence in the Beetlejuice sequel. The fact that Rory paid homage to Otho’s dubious character in the sequel showed how significant the latter was in theBeetlejuicefranchise.
Otho may not have been a true friend of the Deetzes, Delia implied inBeetlejuice Beetlejuicethat she still considered him a friend who she wanted to see at Charles’s funeral. All in all, his lively personality and knowledge of the paranormal made him a crucial and noteworthy figure in theBeetlejuicefilms that will surely be missed.
