Alec Baldwin recently shared a light-hearted anecdote regarding his former role in the beloved 1988 film *Beetlejuice*, revealing that his children did not recognise him in the movie when they were younger. During a panel discussion at the Hamptons International Film Festival on 4th October, the veteran actor, now 68, recounted the amusing moments when he watched the film with his young family.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/alec-baldwin-beetlejuice-1-100926-883d6cb8cb2f4a8bacda1b6e521270b8.jpg)
In the film, Baldwin portrays Adam Maitland, a hardware store owner whose life is cut short, and he subsequently becomes a ghost. Baldwin reminisced about the family viewing sessions, proclaiming, “I remember when my kids were little and we watched *Beetlejuice*. I’d say, ‘That’s Dad. That’s Daddy.’ And they’d be like, ‘No. No.’” His children’s failure to recognise him prompted laughter from both Baldwin and the audience.
He added with humour that he had a much different appearance in *Beetlejuice*, remarking, “Well, that’s me when I was skinny and I had dark hair. I was good-looking. I was able to look better then.” His jest about his children being “so mean” served to further entertain attendees at the festival.
Baldwin shares seven children with his wife, Hilaria, ranging in age from four to thirteen. His oldest child, Ireland, 30, is from his previous marriage to Kim Basinger. The famous actor’s family continues to evoke joy and laughter, evident in both Baldwin’s stories and their fondness for family activities around film classics.
Amanda Seyfried, who participated in the panel, mentioned that she too had recently introduced her children to *Beetlejuice*, calling it a “classic” within their household. She shared her own experiences of watching the film with her children, fostering a similar fondness for the iconic movie that has endured since its release.
In addition to family movie nights, Baldwin and his family have embraced the spirit of *Beetlejuice*, famously paying homage to the film during Halloween in 2023. Hilaria Baldwin shared photos on social media showcasing their themed costumes, which included their youngest daughters embodying Lydia Deetz, while their son Rafael creatively dressed as Adam Maitland, replicating Baldwin’s character with striking resemblance.
Despite the nostalgic connection, Baldwin and Geena Davis, who played his wife Barbara Maitland, will not be returning for the upcoming sequel to *Beetlejuice*, titled *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice*. Tim Burton, the director behind the original film, explained that the sequel would delve into a different storyline that does not involve the Maitlands, allowing for a fresh narrative approach.
Burton commented on his decision, stating, “I didn’t want to just tick any boxes. So even though they were such an amazing integral part of the first one, I was focusing on something else.” He aims to bring an entirely new plot to life, one that incorporates the characters from the original but shifts the narrative focus away from Baldwin’s character and Davis’s.
Fans of the original *Beetlejuice* may be eager to see the developments in the sequel, especially as it is set to retain the whimsical, dark comic essence that characterised the first film. The anticipation around the project highlights Burton’s reputation for creativity and storytelling.
As Halloween approaches, Baldwin’s anecdotes and the beloved status of *Beetlejuice* remind audiences of the film’s importance in pop culture. The portrayal of captivating characters and the charming chemistry between Baldwin and Davis have solidified the original film’s place in cinematic history, leaving fans to nostalgically revisit the quirky, otherworldly narrative.
With the excitement surrounding the sequel and Baldwin’s heartfelt reflections, it seems that *Beetlejuice* will continue to resonate across generations, eliciting laughter and delight from families both new and old.