Tim Burton Opens Up About the Success of ‘Beetlejuice’ and His Final Years in the Film Industry

Thirty-six years after the macabre comedy became a cult classic, Tim Burton says he “never understood the reasons for its success.”

American director Tim Burton spoke on Wednesday, August 28, in Venice, where his new film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice opened the Mostra. He confided in particular that he had been “A little “disappointed with the film industry” in recent years and even have “a little lost“, at a press conference before the evening screening, out of competition, of the sequel to Beetlejuice.

Thirty-six years after the macabre comedy that became a cult classic, the film reunites the big names of the original cast, including Michael Keaton in the title role, and Winona Ryder, the teenager who communicates with ghosts as an adult, with newcomers, including her partner, the Italian actress Monica Bellucci. Also in the cast, Jenna Ortega, 21, star of the series Wednesdaywhich Burton produced and whose success re-motivated him.

“I thought, if I’m going to do something again, I want it to come from the heart. (…) I feel like I’d lost myself a little bit. And so making this film gave me energy again, it was a return to the things I love to do, the way I love to do them, with the people I love.“.

The most gothic of Hollywood directors, author of films that have become classics,Edward Scissorhands has Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, saw his career take off after the first Beetlejuice.

“The funny thing about this movie is that as much as I love it, I never understood why it was so successful.“, confided the 66-year-old director, who does not seem set to shoot a third Beetlejuice. “It took me 35 years to do this one. Mathematically, that would take us to over 100 years. With medicine, it could be done, but I don’t think so!” he smiled.

The film also marks the return to a leading role, at age 72, of Michael Keaton, who once again dons the pinstriped costume of evil bio-exorcist Beetlejuice. In this new film, the character has not aged, he is still dead, “just a little more moldy” joked the actor.