Tim Burton, the visionary director behind iconic films like Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992), has expressed disinterest in returning to the world of superhero movies.
Despite his past successes in the genre, Burton revealed in a recent interview that he’s no longer interested in directing such films in today’s cinematic landscape.
“At the moment, I would say no,” Burton shared when asked if he would consider directing another superhero film. “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.”
Burton is currently promoting his latest project, Beetlejuice 2, a sequel to his beloved 1988 film. Reflecting on his experience directing Batman in England, he highlighted how the filmmaking environment has changed drastically since then.
He fondly recalled the creative freedom he enjoyed during the production of Batman, noting that the concept of a “franchise” was not as dominant as it is today.
“I was lucky because, at that time, the word ‘franchise’ didn’t exist,” Burton explained. “Batman felt slightly experimental at the time. It deviated from what the perception of a superhero movie might be.”
Burton further elaborated on how working in England allowed him to stay somewhat insulated from studio pressures, a luxury that seems increasingly rare in modern Hollywood.
“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,” he added.
Burton’s comments reflect a broader shift in the film industry, where creative risks are often overshadowed by the demands of building expansive, interconnected franchises. As the director of some of the most memorable films in the genre, Burton’s disinterest in revisiting superhero movies underscores the changing dynamics of modern filmmaking.
