Tim Burton and Johnny Depp—a cinematic pairing that brought iconic characters like Edward Scissorhands and Sweeney Todd to life—may reunite again, according to Burton himself. During a red carpet interview at the Marrakech International Film Festival, the legendary director hinted that the two could work together on a future project, though he ruled out revisiting their earlier collaborations, including Edward Scissorhands.
A Legendary Partnership
Burton and Depp’s collaboration began in 1990 with Edward Scissorhands, a visually stunning and emotionally poignant story that became an instant classic. Over the next two decades, the duo worked together on eight films, each exploring fantastical worlds and eccentric characters. Their projects include Ed Wood (1994), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Corpse Bride (2005), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), Alice in Wonderland (2010), and Dark Shadows (2012).
Dark Shadows, a quirky adaptation of the cult-favorite TV show, marked their last collaboration. Since then, fans have eagerly speculated about when the creative pair might reunite. When asked during his Marrakech Film Festival appearance if a reunion was on the horizon, Burton replied, “Well, I’m sure there will be.”
However, Burton clarified that his casting process depends on the project itself rather than pre-planned reunions. “I never feel like, ‘Oh, I’m going to use this and that actor.’ It usually has to be based on the project I’m working on. That’s what film is all about. It’s collaboration and bouncing ideas off the people around you,” he told IndieWire.
Why There Won’t Be an Edward Scissorhands Sequel
Burton also used the festival platform to address whether he would ever revisit some of his most beloved works, including Edward Scissorhands. The director made it clear that certain films were meant to stand alone, saying, “There are certain films I don’t want to make a sequel to. I didn’t want to make a sequel to Edward Scissorhands because it felt like a one-off thing.”
Similarly, Burton ruled out the possibility of a follow-up to his 1993 classic The Nightmare Before Christmas. “Certain things are best left on their own, and that for me is one of them,” he said. While Nightmare is often associated with Burton’s distinct aesthetic, it was directed by Henry Selick, with Burton producing and contributing the original poem on which the film was based.
Burton’s Recent Success with Sequels
Interestingly, Burton has revisited some of his earlier works in recent years, though sparingly. His current project, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, is a sequel to his 1988 supernatural comedy Beetlejuice. It marks only the second time Burton has directed a sequel, following Batman Returns (1992), the follow-up to his genre-defining Batman (1989).
At the Marrakech Film Festival, Burton reflected on his approach to sequels, explaining that some stories lend themselves to continuation while others don’t. While Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas fall into the latter category, Beetlejuice was a natural choice for a return. The new film reunites Burton with frequent collaborator Michael Keaton, who reprises his role as the mischievous ghost, alongside returning cast member Winona Ryder.
Reflections on a Career of Creativity
Two of Burton’s iconic films celebrated major anniversaries in 2024. Batman turned 35 in May, and Sleepy Hollow marked its 25th anniversary on November 17. These milestones have prompted fans and collaborators alike to reflect on Burton’s unique creative legacy.
Danny Elfman, Burton’s go-to composer on 19 projects, recently shared his thoughts on their work together. Speaking in a Zoom interview, Elfman fondly recalled composing the score for Sleepy Hollow, a film that brought Burton’s signature gothic style to classic horror tropes. “It was great fun because it was the first time for Tim in our work together that he really was getting into a little bit of classic-style horror imagery,” Elfman said. He also praised Depp’s performance, calling it “memorable and perfectly suited to the eerie tone of the story.”
What’s Next for Tim Burton and Johnny Depp?
Depp is one of several high-profile collaborators featured in Tara Wood’s Untitled Tim Burton Docuseries, which was partially screened at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year. The series explores Burton’s creative process and enduring relationships with actors like Depp, Michael Keaton, and Helena Bonham Carter. A release date for the docuseries has yet to be announced, but anticipation is high among fans eager for an inside look at Burton’s cinematic world.
As for whether Burton and Depp will reunite on the big screen, the director’s comments at Marrakech leave the door open. While their collaborations have always been tied to unique projects, the creative synergy between Burton and Depp has consistently resulted in unforgettable films. Whether it’s a completely new story or an entirely fresh take on an existing world, the prospect of another Burton-Depp project is one that fans will be eagerly awaiting.
For now, Burton remains focused on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and the legacy of the stories that made him a household name. If his comments are any indication, his partnership with Depp is far from over—it’s simply waiting for the right project to bring them together again.
