Why Tim Burton Can’t Stand Most Hollywood Biopics—But Made Ed Wood
Tim Burton has a strong dislike for most biopics, calling them fake and dull. Yet his 1994 film Ed Wood stands out as a rare exception, shaped by his personal admiration for the infamous director rather than the usual biopic formula.
When you think of a Tim Burton film, certain images probably come to mind: Johnny Depp or Helena Bonham Carter in the lead, a darkly whimsical world, and maybe a few eerie children singing in the background. Burton’s signature style is unmistakable, and audiences have come to expect a certain look and feel from his movies. That’s why it caught many off guard in 1994 when he took on a project so different from his usual fare—a biographical film about Edward D. Wood Jr., the infamous director known for his low-budget horror movies.
Ed Wood wasn’t the typical Burton fantasy. While Depp was still front and center, the film was a grounded comedy- drama, featuring a cast that included Bill Murray and Sarah Jessica Parker. The choice to make a biopic was especially surprising given Burton’s well-known aversion to the genre. In his own words,
“I hate most biopics. I find that most biopics are stodgy and really boring, because people, in my opinion, take too much of a reverential approach, and it’s fake.”
He went on to say,
“Every time I’ve seen a biopic, it just doesn’t feel real. There’s something about it, the sheer fact that it’s a movie and that an actor is portraying someone, means there’s a level of facade and fakery to it.”
Burton’s Unique Approach to Ed Wood
Determined to break away from the formula he disliked, Burton infused Ed Wood with his own sense of admiration for the director. Instead of aiming for a documentary-style retelling, he let his personal feelings and impressions shape the film’s tone. He even drew inspiration from his own encounters with horror legend Vincent Price when depicting Wood’s friendship with Bela Lugosi, one of the original actors to play Dracula. As Burton explained,
“In some ways I’m a purist. I wasn’t there with these people, I don’t know them, but I have a feeling about them. So that’s what I’m doing. I’m doing my feeling.”
The project almost didn’t happen. Many in the industry doubted that audiences would care about Wood’s story, and Burton’s insistence on shooting in black and white led Columbia to drop the film. Despite these setbacks, the movie eventually got made, though it struggled at the box office and lost around $5 million. Still, it earned critical acclaim and won two Academy Awards, and Burton continues to see it as one of his finest works.
Burton’s Recent Work and Lasting Influence
In the past decade, Burton has slowed down, directing only two films in ten years. After Dumbo, he suggested he might not work with Disney again. He returned to familiar territory with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, reuniting with Michael Keaton for a sequel to his 1980s hit. Looking ahead, he’s set to direct a new version of the 1950s sci-fi classic Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, with a script by Gillian Flynn.
Burton has also made his mark on television, serving as a producer and director for Netflix ’s Wednesday, a spin-off of The Addams Family. The show, which features stars like Steve Buscemi, Christopher Lloyd, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, has picked up four Emmys and brought Burton’s distinctive touch to a new generation of viewers.