But Who Would Johnny Depp Play?!?

So I found this interesting article over at Bloody Disgusting.

Seems that Michael Keaton would love, love, love to do a Beetlejuice sequel. The word is that Geena Davis would be interested as well.

I find it really interesting because I watched Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland last night and - although it was very good - it wasn't (in my humble undead opinion)up to the caliber of Burton's early works.

The comments on the news item are really a bunch of internet fanboy whining about how Tim Burton's sold out, but it's also interesting to note that Tim Burton has changed over the years.

His early movies were so incredibly original and quirky, but his latest big budget films lack the soul of those earlier outings. Beetlejuice is one of them. I love Beetlejuice. I can honestly say it is one of my favorite movies of all time. From gloomy but oh-so-hot and lovely Winona Ryder, to the profane and over the top performance of Michael Keaton - Beetlejuice is an undeniable good time.




Now, though, Tim Burton's movies have become as predictably castable as a Kevin Smith film. Johnny Depp? Check. Helena Bonham Carter? Check. Christopher Lee? Check. Some cool, twisty trees? Double check.

And don't get me started on his casting his wife in every film he does now. That's what pisses me off about Rob Zombie's films (although I will add that Helena Bonham Carter can at least act, unlike Sherry Moon Zombie).

And I'll admit that Burton's always had a habit for casting many of the same actors and actresses. I'm cool with that. Certain actors 'get' Tim Burton, and it's cool that he gets to work with them again and again. Winona Ryder for example, or Christopher Walken, come to mind.

Doctor Zombie's Idea of the Perfect Woman!Winona...dear, sweet Winona. Oh how I love you!

But that adherance to acting consistency is not what I'm getting at here. Actually, I'm not sure what I'm getting at, but I really think that Tim Burton's directing career is like a rollercoaster that dips in and out of genius and mediocrity just like many other directors - but maybe it's more noticeable because the genius is so brilliant when he gets it right that it makes the disappointments so much more bitter to the palate when he doesn't.

Now don't get me wrong - the suckfest that was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was almost nullified by the deliciously chilling dark spectacle that was Sweeney Todd. And Sleepy Hollow more than made up for the big budget craptastically bad Planet of the Apes.

BAD Tim Burton! Doctor Z. would love to whack you in the nose with a rolled up newspaper for this shit!

But none of those hold a candle to Mars Attacks, or Edward Scissorhands, or Big Fish, or Ed Wood, or the original Batman.

Good Tim Burton! It would have been better only if Winona Ryder had been involved!

And - as for a Beetlejuice remake - I'm fully on board and it drives me insane with rage that the studio won't even consider it.

It makes me even more insane that there's not enough movies with Winona Ryder in them. C'mon Tim... do a brother a solid and give my dear, sweet Winona a call.

Please?

What do you guys think?