Thieves are said to have stolen spooky works of art from the Beetle Juice 2 production located in Vermont. Earlier this month, the City of Saint Johnsbury State Police received reports film officials of two stolen items from the production set in East Corinth, including one of the film’s signature abstract monstrosities – ehrm, sculptures.
Shortly after midnight on Friday July 14, an unidentified individual driving an older van was spotted on Village Road dismantling and taking one of the set’s props, a large lamp post with a “distinctive pumpkin decoration” on top. The attacker apparently moved the pole from its base before storing it in the back of his GMC truck and cover with a plastic sheet. The license plate number on the back of their vehicle is unknown.
On the afternoon of July 17, film staff again contacted state police for another reported robbery, this time from a cemetery on the set. Officials believe that sometime between the late afternoon of July 13 and Monday morning July 17, thieves took one of the abstract sculptures that come to life in the film to imprison its creator, fictional New York contemporary artist Delia Deetz, portrayed by Catherine O’Hara in the original film.
The sequel to Tim Burton’s cult classic beetle juice (1988), Beetle Juice 2 is currently in production east of Corinth. The pic stars Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega and is set to be released next September, although it’s unclear if the timing of its premiere will be impacted by the concurrent WGA and SAG-AFTRA. strikes who currently have stopped producing numerous movies and TV shows in the industry. The sequel film is also directed by Burton, as well as produced by Warner Brothers Pictures along with KatzSmith Productions, Plan B Entertainment and Tim Burton Productions.
It’s unclear if the stolen sculpture is the same one featured in the 1988 film. It’s also unclear what the thieves have in mind for the artwork: possibly an elaborate version beetle juice cosplay?
Vermont State Police are asking the public to contact Saint Johnsbury officers by phone or on line with any information. Neither the police department nor the producers responded to Hyperallergicimmediate requests for comments.
