Tim Burton Teases a Return to Animation With His Next Film

Following the massive response to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, you’d think Tim Burton would be full steam ahead on the next sequel. Warner Bros. even said as much back in April, with CEO Michael De Luca confirming that Beetlejuice 3 was gearing up to get underway.

But, if you thought that meant Burton was locking himself back in the netherworld, think again. In a recent interview with Milenio, Burton revealed that his next film project may take him back to animation. He said:

“I am working on something that’s an animated project, yes. So hopefully I’ll have a script soon and then I’ll take it from there. But it’s something I’m very excited about.”

For fans of The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, or Frankenweenie, this is exciting news. Burton didn’t share plot details, but he’s obviously itching to get back into the hand-crafted, offbeat world that helped shape his signature style.

It’s also worth noting that this isn’t the only non-Beetlejuice idea on his mind. Earlier this year, his name was floated for a remake of the 1958 cult classic Attack of the Fifty-Foot Woman, although Burton later tempered expectations on that front. Right now, the animated project appears to be his priority.

Where this leaves Beetlejuice 3 is unclear. It’s hard to imagine Warner Bros. letting too much time pass, especially considering the long gap between the first and second films. Still, if Burton is energized by a new animated vision, it’s not hard to see why he'd want to chase that first.