The stop-motion movie Frankenweenie is an adaptation of the 1984 short film of the same name, which notably led to Tim Burton’s dismissal from Disney. Taking general inspiration from Mary Shelley’s celebrated novel from 1818, Frankenstein, the movie explores a powerful science experiment undertaken by Victor, in an attempt to bring his dog, Sparky, back to life.

The director returned to the studio in 2007, after Tim Burton’s movies sustained an incredibly successful run at the box office. This came after the long-standing collaboration between Burton and Michael Keaton on projects such as Beetlejuice and Batman. His relationship with Disney clearly demonstrates the director’s steadfast commitment to his own terms, as he rarely compromises on his vision.

This unique quality, combined with his signature aesthetic, makes Burton’s films instantly recognizable. The director has accumulated a very loyal following ever since his beginnings in Hollywood. Despite a 28-year absence from the colossal studio, he remained a powerhouse, quickly demonstrating Disney’s error in firing him.

Tim Burton Was Fired From Disney Because Of Frankenweenie

Burton Was Amicably Dismissed From The Company In 1984

Shockingly, it wasn’t until 2012 that Burton confirmed the nature of his dismissal from Disney Studios. The director ended his partnership with Disney after his 30-minute short film, Frankenweenie, was considered too dark to align with the studio’s image. Looking back, it was a rather divisive decision, especially given earlier films like Disney’s Snow White also tackled dark themes.

In an interview with Yahoo!, Burton discussed his feud with the studio and made it clear that they parted on good terms. The director revealed that his termination was amiable, stating it was a “you go your way, and we’ll go our way” type situation (via Yahoo! Movies). In fact, Burton called the situation more of a “revolving door policy.“

Burton admitted his style and aesthetic were not suited to Disney’s profile at the time, particularly as the studio faced considerable backlash for The Black Cauldron in 1985. This meant that rather than producing PG films like Frankenweenie, Disney remained relatively conservative in its beliefs during this time and focused on family-friendly films.

Tim Burton Remade Frankenweenie With The Studio 28 Years Later

Frankenweenie Became A Full-Length Animated Feature In 2012

Ironically, Frankenweenie became a full-length feature in 2012. Burton collaborated with Disney two decades after their amicable split to adapt the story into an animated feature. The 2012 version had an extended runtime of one hour and 27 minutes, a considerable increase from Frankenweenie‘s original 30 minutes, which proved highly advantageous for highlighting the director’s talents.

With that in mind, Burton was working under a very strict budget in the early 1980s, whereas the more recent stop-motion animation meant he was given the freedom to refine and achieve his original vision. Burton insisted maintaining the black and white picture was the most critical factor, feeling it was key to Frankenweenie‘s emotional strength.

The full-length feature was inspired by the childhood memories of Burton’s dog. The director said mortality always hung over his relationships with pets, and this helped advance the plot of Frankenweenie significantly. Burton has disclosed that despite the story not being a direct portrayal of his early life, its emotional depth closely resembles his own experiences. (via Austin American Statesman)

The Original Frankenweenie Was Good, But The Remake Was Even Better

Frankenweenie Is Often Cited As One Of Burton’s Best Movies

Burton’s 30-minute short was impressive for its small scale, but the animated adaptation was better. The increased length was a major advantage, making it more fleshed out and engaging. With a premise reminiscent of Frankenstein and Reanimator, it’s a concept that aligns exceptionally well with Burton’s aesthetic. Frankenweenie tells a heartfelt story with many references to classic monster movies.

The 2012 Frankenweenie features a significantly superior cast compared to the original. While Shelley Duvall leads in the 30-minute short, Burton’s remake features huge names such as Martin Short, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara. Though the film has many appealing qualities, its voice cast is definitely a highlight that elevates the stop-motion film.

Source: Yahoo! Movies, Austin American Statesman