Beetlejuice has really gotten a boost in popularity due to the impending release of its sequel. Fans have been reminded of the original film's creativity, and the classic performances given by Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton.
A deep dive into the film's production, however, reveals that neither Ryder nor Keaton were the first choices for the parts of Beetlejuice and Lydia Deetz. In fact, Tim Burton originally conceived of the film with two completely different actors in mind. The same goes for the role of Delia Deetz, Lydia's mother, who was magnificently played by Catherine O'Hara in the film.
Here are the almost-casting choices that would have radically changed the film:
Alyssa Milano as Lydia Deetz
The role of Lydia Deetz was pursued by every young actress in Hollywood. Seriously, the roll call of talent who showed up to audition is mind-boggling: Molly Ringwald, Jennifer Connelly, Sarah Jessica Parker, Brooke Shields, Diane Lane, Justine Bateman and Juliette Lewis are just some of the names who showed up.
Alyssa Milano impressed Burton during her audition, and nearly snagged the part, but then Burton came across Winona Ryder. The director was impressed with Ryder's supporting turn in Lucas, and felt like she possessed the right look and feel for the character. He was right. Milano did just fine for herself, despite being the runner-up.
Anjelica Huston as Delia Deetz
Catherine O'Hara was mainly known for her Second City work when she was cast in Beetlejuice, but her performance kickstarted a film career that's still going strong today. Anjelica Huston was the first choice to play the Deetz matriarch, which makes sense given that she was just coming off an Oscar win for her performance in Prizzi's Honor.
She fell ill before production started, though, and had to be replaced. O'Hara was a revelation, and Huston would fare much better as the stylish, subdued matriarch of another gothic household in the Addams Family films.
Kirstie Alley as Barbara Maitland
Kirstie Alley was a small screen superstar in the late 80s thanks to her role on Cheers. She was the first choice to play Barbara Maitland, one half of the ghostly couple who befriend Lydia. Unfortunately, Alley's TV fame, the very reason she was considered in the first place, proved to be her undoing.
NBC refused to let Alley out of her contract so that she could do the film in between episodes, and the part ultimately went to Geena Davis.
Sammy Davis, Jr. as Beetlejuice
Talk about a shift in tone. Tim Burton originally wanted the Rat Pack legend Sammy Davis, Jr. to play the undead trickster, due to his song and dance ability. Burton was a fan of Davis' work in the 1960s, and the director's fascination with celebrities from his childhood would manifest elsewhere in the casting.
Burton cast another crooner, Robert Goulet and talk show host Dick Cavett as the unlucky dinner guests who fall prey to Beetlejuice's antics. Dudley Moore and Sam Kinison were also considered at different points during the writing process, but deemed out of step with the film's tone.
Uproxx reports that studio head David Geffen ultimately convinced Burton to go with Michael Keaton. Burton was unfamiliar with Keaton's film work, but a single meeting with the actor won him over, and the two men would go on to collaborate five times. We'd say it all worked out for the best.