Veteran Filmmaker Tim Burton reflected on his series of films with Johnny Depp. From one movie to another, starting with the 90s Edward Scissorhands, Depp would be seen in a lead role for several Burton-directed films. This has even been extended to animation, with Depp voiced a lead character in 2005 corpse bride. Some of Depp’s other memorable roles in Burton films include Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Streetand Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland.
At the Lumière Film Festival in France (per Variety), Burton shared why he turned to Depp so often when casting his films. He explained how they happened to understand each other in a certain way and this led to the two pretty much always staying creatively on the same page. Taking into account Depp’s talent, Burton then felt confident enough in the chameleon actor’s abilities to bring every character he wrote to life, and the director says it became exciting to watch Depp transform himself into the next. role.
“I made contact with him when I met him for Edward Scissorhands. He looked like me, some kind of white garbage in the suburbs. It wasn’t even a verbal understanding. It was something I could feel. He loved the characters, he was interested in acting for the art of it, not the cause. It was exciting to see someone play different things, the idea of this transformation from film to film has always excited me.”
Will Johnny Depp star in Beetlejuice 2 directed by Tim Burton?
Since Depp and Burton have worked together so much in the past, there have been rumors of a new collaboration lately. Today, Burton is preparing for the release of the Netflix series Wednesdaya Addams Family reboot with some episodes directed by the dark shadows helmer. Before it was announced that Fred Armisen would play Uncle Fester, there was speculation that Depp had been secretly brought in by Burton to film the role.
There have also been baseless rumors that Burton was planning to… beetle juice sequel with Depp in a lead role. At the Lumière Film Festival, Burton denied these rumors and insisted he’s not working on them Beetle juice 2 much less with Depp at the moment. That said, he reiterates that he is not retiring anytime soon and plans to direct movies in the near future.
“Certainly, as an artist you should always try to see things in a different way, try to keep growing and creating. It’s an important part of life. Nothing I’ve done is perfect, but creating keeps you alive, and it’s something you want to keep doing no matter how old you are.”
With Burton refusing to slow down his film career anytime soon and Depp getting his acting career back on track, the two may be working together again soon.