Tim Burton Says He's Not Interested In Directing A Marvel Movie: 'Can't Deal With A Multi-Universe'

Acclaimed director Tim Burton has revealed that he has no interest in directing any film within the Marvel Universe. He spoke about the future of his film career at the recently held Lumiere Festival in France and said that Disney has now become homogenized and consolidated. Burton also clarified that he's never considered directing a Marvel film because he can't handle a multi-universe."

Burton also said that after his experience working with Disney on the live-action adaptation of "Dumbo," he realized that he'd likely never work with the studio again. Burton was also honored with the Prix Lumiere award at the festival, and he said it re-energized his love for film and the cinema.

Burton also spoke about his upcoming film projects, saying he plans to complete "Wednesday," his upcoming spin-off from Netflix's "The Addams Family." The director had earlier stated that he'd not be getting involved in the sequel to his 1988 film "Beetlejuice" but later backtracked on the statement, hinting there's a possibility.

Read on to find out more.

During a recent press conference at the Lumiere Festival in France, which was covered by Deadline, Burton spoke about his filmmaking career and his plans for the future. He addressed his longtime relationship with Disney, where he began his film career as an animation artist.

Burton, who's famous for his work on fantasy-horror films like "Beetlejuice" and "Corpse Bride" stated that Disney is now focused on their Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars franchises. He said, "It's gotten to be very homogenized, very consolidated. There's less room for different types of things."

During the interview, Burton was asked if he'd ever directed a Marvel film if given the opportunity, and he said no. The director said, "I can only deal with one universe, l can't deal with a multi-universe." Burton also revealed that Disney has "hired and fired" him severally and that he'd likely not work with the studio in the near future.

Burton cited his experience making the 2019 live-action adaptation of "Dumbo" for Disney. He said, "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." Burton also added that the film is "quite autobiographical at a certain level."

At the festival, Burton was recognized with the Prix Lumière award and told Deadline that the ceremony "re-energized" his love for film and cinema. Several Hollywood stars have also received the Prix Lumière, including Jane Campion, Clint Eastwood, and Martin Scorsese.

Burton said, "That's why this festival is so great because it's purely about cinema, rather than business or awards or anything else. All studio executives should be forced to come here to reinvigorate them. To remind them of why they wanted to make movies in the first place. It should be part of their job."

During the interview, Burton also spoke about his upcoming film projects, saying that he has no firm projects in the works. The "Alice in Wonderland" director revealed that he's returning to complete "Wednesday," his upcoming spin-off from Netflix's "The Addams Family."

At a film masterclass earlier during the festival, Burton suggested that he has no plans to be involved in the reboot of "Beetlejuice," his 1988 cult classic film. Plan B films had revealed to Deadline earlier this year that it was developing a sequel to "Beetlejuice." However, he later backtracked on his statements, saying that "nothing is out of the question."

Burton also said, "I only know if I'm making a film when I'm actually on the set shooting. I try to go back to the root of everything. It springs from a seed and then it grows, rather than out of these statements. I am working on ideas and things but it's all very early days. We'll set how it goes. How's that for a none answer?"