Tim Burton Reveals How Wednesday Helped Him Recover Post-Dumbo

Tim Burton recently opened up about how working on the Netflix series Wednesday helped him recover creatively after his experience with the Disney film Dumbo. In a conversation with Variety, Burton discussed how the Netflix show rejuvenated him following the commercial disappointment of Dumbo. The project had left him in a state of uncertainty about his professional future. But with the success of Wednesday and the anticipation surrounding Beetlejuice, Burton now feels more optimistic.

Reflecting on his state after Dumbo, Burton confessed, "Honestly, after Dumbo, I really didn’t know. I thought that could have been it, really. I could have retired, or become… well, I wouldn’t have become an animator again, that’s over," he laughed. "But this did reenergize me. Oftentimes, when you get into Hollywood, you try to be responsible to what you’re doing with the budget and everything else, but sometimes you might lose yourself a little bit. This reinforced the feeling for me that it’s important that I do what I want to do, because then everybody will benefit."

It’s evident that Dumbo was a difficult experience for Burton, despite his enduring popularity with fans worldwide. The mixed response to the film highlighted that perhaps his creative vision no longer aligned well with Disney’s direction. Burton elaborated on this sentiment, "My history is that I started out there. I was hired and fired like several times throughout my career there. The thing about Dumbo is that’s why I think my days with Disney are done: I realized that I was Dumbo, that I was working in this horrible big circus, and I needed to escape."

In recent years, Burton’s desire for originality and control over his work has become increasingly important to him. This drive aligns with his earlier comments about staying true to his artistic vision, as opposed to conforming to broader commercial expectations. He even reacted to a BuzzFeed article that rendered Disney princesses in his unique style, expressing his dismay in an interview with The Independent. "I can’t describe the feeling it gives you," Burton said. "It reminded me of when other cultures say, ‘Don’t take my picture because it is taking away your soul.’ What it does is it sucks something from you. It takes something from your soul or psyche; that is very disturbing, especially if it has to do with you. It’s like a robot taking your humanity, your soul."

As fans eagerly await Burton’s future projects, his journey through Wednesday and the forthcoming Beetlejuice sequel signals a creative rebirth. The director now seems poised to continue his unique contributions to the world of film, retaining a strong emphasis on creative freedom.

Source: Variety, The Independent