Tim Burton On Difference Between BATMAN And Today's Superhero Movies, SUPERMAN, And Possible Return To Genre

Tim Burton On Difference Between BATMAN And Today's Superhero Movies, SUPERMAN, And Possible Return To Genre

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice director Tim Burton has explained why making Batman was a much different experience than it would be today and also reflects on Superman Lives and a possible return to the genre.

By JoshWilding - Aug 22, 2024 12:08 PM EST
Filed Under: Batman (1989)
Source: Variety

When Batman was released in 1989, it changed the game for superheroes. However, it was also a very unique movie and one which could have only been made by a filmmaker like Tim Burton. 

Talking to Variety about the upcoming release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Burton reflected on making Batman and how the perception of the comic book movie genre at the time freed him from studio pressure or interference. 

"I was lucky because at that time, the word 'franchise' didn’t exist," the director said. "So 'Batman' felt slightly experimental at the time. It deviated from what the perception [of a superhero movie] might be. So you didn’t hear that kind of studio feedback, and being in England, it was even further removed."

"We really just got to focus on the film and not really think about those things that now they think about even before you do it," Burton continued. "I never felt like I was misusing company funds with studios, if you know what I mean. But it also just felt kind of pure because I wasn’t really a proper filmmaker, so I just did things that I felt was me. It felt like that’s why they wanted me."

After the massive success of Batman, Burton was granted even more freedom with 1992's Batman Returns...until he wasn't. 

"I wasn’t really interested in doing a sequel, but I liked Penguin and Catwoman so I got reenergized by the whole thing," he explained. "And that was when we started hearing the word franchise and where the studio started going, 'What’s the black stuff coming out of the Penguin’s mouth?' It was the first time the cold wind of that kind of thing came upon me."

Studio interference also played a role in why his and Nicolas Cage's Superman Lives never came to fruition. Admitting it's "quite traumatic" to work on a movie that doesn't happen, Burton added, "I just try to focus on things that I feel strongly about and get rid of all the noise surrounding them."

Following his return to make a Beetlejuice sequel, the trade wondered whether Burton would tackle another superhero project. "At the moment, I would say no," he confirmed. "Like I said, I come at things from different points of view, so I would never say never to anything. But, at the moment, it’s not something I’d be interested in."

The Flash offered a glimpse at Cage's Superman; unfortunately, it was a nightmare-inducing CG creation which the actor has since disowned. Burton also had no involvement with Michael Keaton's brief return as Batman in the DCEU.

Would you like to see the legendary filmmaker step behind the camera for another superhero movie?

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RedFury
RedFury - 8/22/2024, 12:12 PM
I'm quite impressed that he managed to speak his mind about his approach, and lack of interest when it comes to the superhero genre without dragging it through the dirt. Seems like a rarity these days with veteran directors.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 8/22/2024, 12:29 PM
@RedFury - yeah , I appreciate it though I guess since he’s already tackled Batman that it would seem hypocritical if he did disparage the genre
Thing94
Thing94 - 8/22/2024, 12:57 PM
@RedFury - Yeah he didn't say it wasn't cinema like some directors! We're looking at you Marty! Lol
dragon316
dragon316 - 8/22/2024, 3:27 PM
@RedFury - and still able to return play Batman most people who talk about it don’t always get return
Matchesz
Matchesz - 8/22/2024, 12:12 PM
Movies back then were made without a sequel in mind and each was treated like a passion project. Now everythings built for the next installment so you now got half ass storytelling with teasers sprinkled all over and corny inside jokes probably which was fast tracked into theaters to hurry up and get to the next one
HermanM
HermanM - 8/22/2024, 12:18 PM
Too bad Burton's Superman film wasn't made. It would have been the best live action Superman movie of the last 40 years. It really got a lot right that everything else has neglected. Superman wouldn't have known he was an alien until years into his Superman career, long into adulthood, just like the comics, and when he found out, it would have meant nothing to him beyond the explanation for his powers. Wesley Strick, for all his faults, at least understood that Clark Kent with powers is the real person, and that it is Clark Kent who creates the costumed Superman persona (along with the S & suit) and the mild mannered reporter disguise. Superman has the best possible life he could have had because he grew up on earth with the Kents. Cage's suit also looked great and had the colors right, with the royal blue, the red trunks and yellow belt. It was the only good part in the awful Ezra Miller Flash movie.

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Also, Burton's Batman film is still the best live action version of the character to date.
Matador
Matador - 8/22/2024, 2:41 PM
@HermanM - Whether it would have been good or bad it would have been interesting to have that movie in history's existence. But I bet it would have been weird and entertaining.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 8/22/2024, 3:32 PM
@HermanM - User Comment Image
HermanM
HermanM - 8/22/2024, 3:50 PM
@Matador - yes! I'm now convinced that it actually would have been good had it come to fruition.

Sandra Bullock as Lois Lane would have also been great casting. Gary Oldman or Christopher Walken as Brainiac also would have been great.
Matador
Matador - 8/23/2024, 8:58 AM
@HermanM - Christopher Walken can play a scary bad guy especially in The Prophecy. I wonder if Brainiac would have had a New York accent.

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Casey Jones vs. Gabriel
Nomis929
Nomis929 - 8/22/2024, 12:38 PM
"I was lucky because at that time, the word 'franchise' didn’t exist," the director said.

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Matador
Matador - 8/22/2024, 2:42 PM
@Nomis929 - That was like the whole Schumacher turning point except with the same actors.
Nomis929
Nomis929 - 8/22/2024, 2:54 PM
@Matador - Good Call.

But I do like 'Batman Forever', for the most part, and I wish they had put out a "Director's Cut". If you seen the deleted scenes, that movie was a lot more "Darker" than what was released in the theater.
Matador
Matador - 8/22/2024, 3:01 PM
@Nomis929 - Don't get me wrong I did enjoy Batman Forever for what it was but Robin looked too old to be adopted and way too much neon lights also was hard to watch Tw-Face competing with Riddle for over the top acting, I did hate that.

But I'd watch the Director's Cut if that were to happen.
IronSpider101
IronSpider101 - 8/22/2024, 10:54 PM
@Nomis929 - Not the same type of thing, though. Batman really came and revolutionized how blockbusters are marketed and merchandised. It's a complete different beast than even Star Wars, Superman and the like were as they were coming out. And to this day studios are using the Batman model.
Se4M4NSt4ine
Se4M4NSt4ine - 8/22/2024, 12:39 PM
I know we’ve got it on Netflix with Gaiman himself working on the project. But I always thought Burton would’ve done Sandman justice on the big screen. User Comment Image

Plus, I always feel like original creators should never be allowed to translate their own projects to other sort of media. I’m a firm a believer you should let someone translate your work in what they specialise in, rather than the other way around. Peter Jackson and TLOTR is a good example of that.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 8/22/2024, 12:46 PM
@Se4M4NSt4ine - he would have been good for that

Him doing something like the Crow with his gothic aesthetic would be interesting
Razorface1
Razorface1 - 8/22/2024, 1:50 PM
@Se4M4NSt4ine - nah, Burton just likes making things weird-lite instead of good.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 8/22/2024, 12:45 PM
Honestly , I hadn’t thought about it till now but what is that black stuff coming out of Penguins mouth lol…

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Anyway , I still like Batman 89 moreso then Returns personally but I’ll always appreciate that iteration of the character and his world since it’s one of the reasons I got into comics & superhero stuff in general.

I still think his Gotham is my favorite (second being Reeves) in live action.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 8/23/2024, 9:49 AM
@TheVisionary25 - The stuff coming out of his mouth was always a tad weird but figured it was cos of the toxic sludge in the water that cause the mutation of the Penguins and never dwelled on it beyond that (as toxic sludge always tended to be dark green or black, and slimey back then).
TheRedLeader
TheRedLeader - 8/22/2024, 12:45 PM
Give Etrigan to Burton.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 8/22/2024, 3:57 PM
@TheRedLeader - I say give it to David Lowery who did Green Knight?.

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Have it be set in Medival times
TheRedLeader
TheRedLeader - 8/22/2024, 4:47 PM
@TheVisionary25 - Too polished, too clean. Etrigan need a more chaotic gothic vibe. Burton would be perfect.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 8/22/2024, 4:51 PM
@TheRedLeader - maybe but the visuals of that do get some grit to them from time to time imo
Thing94
Thing94 - 8/22/2024, 1:22 PM
A Tim Burton Spider-Man movie with Morlun as the villain - let's do it
TheRedLeader
TheRedLeader - 8/22/2024, 4:45 PM
@Thing94 - No thanks
MarvelousMarty
MarvelousMarty - 8/22/2024, 1:27 PM
I remember going on opening night to see Batman. I just couldn't believe it was real.
ProudPatriot76
ProudPatriot76 - 8/22/2024, 1:41 PM
I think The Crow would have been Burton’s thing. Or even Swamp Thing. Just dark and gritty and horrific. Maybe horrible, but just his stylized world would fit those characters
harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 8/22/2024, 2:03 PM
his horny penguin was best penguin
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AnthonyVonGeek
AnthonyVonGeek - 8/22/2024, 2:32 PM
Funny how it was ok for Kevin Smith to trash the Burton Batman films and then get paid to sell his rant on dvd yet if anyone today says something like that they’re automatically labeled a racist, sexist, homophobic troll. Smith got lucky.
RolandD
RolandD - 8/22/2024, 6:27 PM
@AnthonyVonGeek - So Tim Burton is a straight white male so your rant makes absolutely zero sense.
AnthonyVonGeek
AnthonyVonGeek - 8/22/2024, 11:57 PM
@RolandD - oh so you think “straight white males” are better than everyone else and that they’re untouchable and protected from discrimination?
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 8/23/2024, 9:55 AM
@AnthonyVonGeek - That makes even less sense than the initial rant
Deadinside
Deadinside - 8/23/2024, 10:31 AM
@RolandD - Yeah, but what if he was a four foot gay Eskimo lesbian hermaphrodite with stuttering Tourettes & one leg shorter than the other...!
Then, the crap would hit the fan...!☮️🤔
RolandD
RolandD - 8/23/2024, 2:45 PM
@Apophis71 - Why are we looking for logic here?
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 8/22/2024, 3:40 PM
When the I read "Possible Return To Genre" in the headline my spirit ejaculated popcorn.

Then he says "Never say never".

Moon Knight reboot. Make it so.
RolandD
RolandD - 8/23/2024, 2:46 PM
@ObserverIO - I was excited at first too, just not in the same way you were. 😂
TheRedLeader
TheRedLeader - 8/22/2024, 4:48 PM
Plastic Man would be perfect for Tim Burton as well.
Batmangina
Batmangina - 8/22/2024, 6:39 PM
Give me a Pee Wee's Big Adventure flavored Plastic Man and TAKE ALL MY MONEY.

Except nobody gives a flying [frick] about Plastic Man.

I'm going to watch Keaton in The Flash again tonight in tribute to this article and skip over all the non-Keaton bits.

I might linger on Supergirl for a sec, tho - I like her bits.
90caliber
90caliber - 8/22/2024, 10:21 PM
Spawn. McFarlane needs to get him on the phone ASAP!
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