The genius behind Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride, and the Netflix hit Wednesday, Tim Burton sat for an interview with The Independent. With a discussion ranging from his love for the gothic genre to his upcoming movie Beetlejuice 2, Burton even recalled his time when he attended the California Institute of the Arts animation programme, sponsored by Disney.
Taking a trip down memory lane along with various other luminaries like Brad Bird, John Musker, and more, Tim Burton recalled the time when he pretended to be a vampire, roaming through the halls of his university. Putting on quite the stunt, until he passed out, Burton even insisted on having pictures from the moment.
Tim Burton Discussed His Upcoming Movie Beetlejuice 2
From several Johnny Depp-starrer gothic movies like Edward Scissorhands to making dark television dramas like Jenna Ortega‘s Wednesday, Tim Burton has created a position in the entertainment industry as a horror genre expert. Quite shockingly, Burton’s admiration for the gothic genre drips through his personality, as he appears as a reassuringly gothic figure, even in real life.
Therefore, sitting for an interview with such a genius, The Independent brought its readers new updates surrounding Tim Burton’s upcoming Beetlejuice 2 and even offered a glimpse into his young age. Speaking with Burton and sharing his frustration surrounding Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder’s much-awaited 2024 movie, which got delayed by the Hollywood strikes, the outlet revealed the director’s plan for the sequel.
Trying to do the new Beetlejuice 2 “in the same spirit” as the first film (1988 classic horror comedy), Tim Burton noted how the upcoming fantasy horror comedy was less than two days away from completing shooting before it got delayed by the strikes. Slated to hit theaters on September 6, 2024, as previously confirmed by Warner Bros, Beetlejuice 2 is set to resurrect Burton’s 1988 cult classic.
Warner Bros recently released the trailer for Tim Burton’s follow-up Beetlejuice 2, featuring Michael Keaton, who is reprising his role as the ghoulish title character. Officially titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the upcoming sequel returning after 36 years is set to narrate the tale of the Deetz family, still haunted by Beetlejuice, return home to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy.
Tim Burton Once Pretended to be a Vampire at CalArts
As the outlet began the discussion with Tim Burton by focusing on his upcoming Beetlejuice sequel, The Independent further went on to speak about the filmmaker’s young age. Trying to find out the roots of Burton’s gothic inspiration, the outlet went decades back to the time when the director went down the artistic route after winning a scholarship to attend the California Institute of the Arts animation programme.
Tim Burton’s admission to the California Institute of the Arts was what first marked his association with Disney, for the scholarship programme was sponsored by the popular conglomerate. Pixar’s John Lasseter, The Incredibles director Brad Bird, and Moana filmmaker John Musker were among various other luminaries, who were fellow students at CalArts. Thus, recalling one of Burton’s silly moments, Musker revealed how the director once pretended to be a Vampire.
Recalling nostalgic days when he used to “wander around naked in the hallways”, Burton confessed how other students called the character animation fellows “geeks and freaks”. Perhaps that’s how he found many kindred spirits among his peers, who were as outcast as Burton. Thus reminiscing the filmmaker’s University days, John Musker noted how Tim Burton had once put on a stunt.
Getting his wisdom teeth out, Musker revealed how Tim Burton acquired the idea of roaming around the offices with his gums still bleeding, pretending he was a vampire. From dripping blood and saliva onto his fellow students’ desks, Burton apparently put on a dramatic act.
“It was a dramatic, Vincent Price-like, tortured hero statement. I was following him around as he did this. He ultimately lost enough blood that they had to send him across the street to the hospital. He was about to pass out. It was kind of a stunt, but Tim played it totally straight. He wouldn’t break character.”
Recalling the bizarre memory with a glint in his eyes, Tim Burton insisted that it was all true. Still having pictures of the very stunt he pulled, Burton appears to hold on to his memories quite fondly, much like his films have etched a place in his fans’ hearts.
