Tim Burton has spoken out regarding the ongoing criticism of his films’ predominantly white casts after his latest project, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, came under fire for allegedly problematic racial representation.
As a director renowned for his gothic, macabre aesthetic, Burton has long been celebrated for his signature dark, whimsical storytelling. His unique approach to filmmaking has made him a household name in Hollywood, with some of his most commercially successful films including Alice in Wonderland (2010), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Batman (1989), and Planet of the Apes (2001).
However, alongside his widespread recognition, Burton has also been at the center of an ongoing debate regarding the noticeable lack of diversity in his movies. The issue has resurfaced following the release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, with critics branding certain scenes as racially insensitive.
A Legacy of Gothic Imagery Dominated by Pale, Sunken Faces
Even in Burton’s animated works—such as Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie—his characters tend to have ghostly white complexions, hollow eyes, and an overall eerie aesthetic. While this stylized approach has become a defining element of his films, it has also raised concerns about the exclusion of non-white actors in leading roles.
This lack of diversity has been a subject of discussion for decades, with one of the earliest criticisms surfacing in 1993 regarding The Nightmare Before Christmas. Although the film was directed by Henry Selick, Burton was responsible for its conception and production. Over the years, various people involved in his films have addressed the issue, including screenwriter Caroline Thompson.
The Controversy Surrounding The Nightmare Before Christmas
Thompson, who worked on The Nightmare Before Christmas and several other Burton projects, appeared on the podcast Script Apart, where she discussed her concerns about the film’s villain, Oogie Boogie.
Oogie Boogie, a sinister, gambling-obsessed character made of burlap and filled with bugs, was voiced by Black actor Ken Page. According to Thompson, she found the character’s name problematic due to its historical connotations.
“Oogie Boogie is a derogatory term for African Americans in the American South,” she explained. “I begged the powers that be to change something about that character because of that.”
She expressed her disappointment over the final decision, stating, “It was a troubling part of the film for me, to be frank.”
Henry Selick, the film’s director, later defended the character’s creation, explaining that he was inspired by the Betty Boop cartoon The Old Man of the Mountain. He insisted that it never occurred to him that the portrayal could be seen as racist.
Burton’s First Prominent Black Character Came Decades Later
According to Bustle, the first time Burton cast a Black actor in a major role was in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016), where Samuel L. Jackson played the antagonist, Barron.
When Jackson was asked about the lack of diversity in Burton’s films, he acknowledged the issue but did not place blame on the director.
“I had to go back in my head and go, how many Black characters have been in Tim Burton movies?” he said. “And I may have been the first, I don’t know, or the most prominent in that particular way, but it happens the way it happens. I don’t think it’s any fault of his or his method of storytelling—it’s just how it’s played out.”
Despite Jackson’s diplomatic response, Burton continued to face backlash for his casting choices, most notably when he directed episodes of the Netflix series Wednesday.
The Wednesday Backlash: Another Controversy Over Racial Representation
When Wednesday premiered on Netflix, viewers were quick to notice that the show’s primary Black characters were portrayed in a negative light.
Bianca Barclay (played by Joy Sunday) was positioned as the “mean girl” of Nevermore Academy, while Lucas Walker (Iman Marson) was depicted as a bully and the son of a corrupt mayor. Many fans felt that this typecasting was problematic.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) pointed out: “I’m loving the new Wednesday series, but why are all the Black actors lit so terribly?”
Another added, “Why are all the Black characters in Wednesday antagonists? Or did I miss something?”
However, some fans defended Burton’s choices, noting that Bianca was also portrayed as a powerful and influential figure.
Now, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Sparks New Accusations of Racism
Burton’s latest film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, has once again placed him in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. A specific scene in the sequel has been widely criticized online, with some viewers branding it “racist.”
On TikTok, one user questioned, “He finally hired a lot of Black actors—but why only for this segment of the movie?”
Another viewer commented, “That scene felt weirdly disconnected, like it was just thrown in.”
A third person added, “I’m not Black, but I felt like the scene was kind of racist.”
The scene in question follows Astrid Deetz (played by Jenna Ortega) as she is condemned to ride the “Soul Train” on her way to the afterlife. The sequence is a direct reference to Soul Train, the iconic variety show that celebrated Black music, dance, and culture from 1970 onwards.
While some saw the scene as a tribute, others felt it was an attempt by Burton to compensate for past criticisms without truly addressing diversity issues in his films.
As one TikToker bluntly put it: “This whole scene felt like Tim Burton saying, ‘Here, damn!’”
Burton Defends His Approach to Casting
Following the controversy, previous statements from Burton about his casting choices have resurfaced. When asked about the lack of diversity in his films during an interview with Bustle, Burton dismissed the criticism.
“Nowadays, people are talking about it more,” he said, explaining that he doesn’t cast actors based on race but rather based on what “feels right” for the story.
He went on to recall his childhood experiences watching The Brady Bunch, saying:
“They started to get all politically correct. Like, okay, let’s have an Asian child and a Black child. I used to get more offended by that than just… I grew up watching blaxploitation movies, right? And I said, that’s great. I didn’t go like, okay, there should be more white people in these movies.”
Fans Remain Divided
While some viewers were put off by the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice scene, others appreciated it as a celebration of Black culture.
One fan wrote, “I actually felt a piece of amazing Black culture come from the ‘Soul Train’ scene.”
Another defended the sequence, saying, “It’s literally an innocent scene—this is reaching. I thought this was one of the best parts of the movie.”
Despite the mixed reactions, one thing remains certain—Burton’s films continue to ignite conversations about diversity in Hollywood.