Tim Burton Nearly Retired After 2019’s ‘Dumbo’
Tim Burton nearly stepped away from filmmaking before finding renewed passion through his Netflix series ‘Wednesday’ and the upcoming ‘Beetlejuice’ sequel. In an interview with Variety ahead of receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the 65-year-old director revealed he was at a crossroads after completing Disney’s 2019 live-action ‘Dumbo’.
“Honestly, after ‘Dumbo’, I wasn’t sure if that was it for me. I thought I might retire,” Burton admitted, laughing as he added, “I wouldn’t have gone back to animation, that’s for sure.” He credited ‘Wednesday’ and the new ‘Beetlejuice’ film with reigniting his creative spark.
Image Courtesy: People
Reflecting on his Hollywood journey, Burton mentioned, “When you’re in Hollywood, you try to be responsible with budgets and everything, but sometimes you lose yourself in the process. This experience reminded me of the importance of pursuing what I truly want because that benefits everyone.”
In ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’, Burton reunites with ‘Wednesday’ star Jenna Ortega, who plays the daughter of Winona Ryder’s character, Lydia Deetz, from the original film. Michael Keaton returns as Beetlejuice, with Catherine O’Hara and Ryder also reprising their roles, while Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe join the cast.
When asked if he’s still in demand in Hollywood, Burton humorously noted, “I’m far away, where no one knocks on my door.” He recalled how ‘Batman’ wasn’t greenlit until ‘Beetlejuice’ became a hit, remarking, “Hollywood’s love can be fleeting; we’ll see how much they love you later on.”
Image Courtesy: People
The five-year gap between ‘Dumbo’ and ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ marks an unusually long break for Burton, who has been a consistent presence in filmmaking since his 1985 debut, ‘Pee-wee’s Big Adventure’. Burton explained that the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a period of flux, during which he focused on personal reflection. “Then ‘Wednesday’ came along, and that reconnected me with creating again,” he said.
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival on 28th August before its theatrical release on 6th September.
–Farheen Ali
