Tim Burton is “not interested” in making another superhero movie.
The Hollywood director previously helmed 1989’s Batman and 1992’s Batman Returns, both of which featured Beetlejuice star Michael Keaton as the caped warrior, but Burton has been adamant that he has no plans to return to the world of comics.
He told Variety magazine: “At this point, I would say no. I look at things from different perspectives and I never say no to anything, but at this point, it’s not something I’m interested in.”
Burton also revealed that making Batman in 1988 felt “experimental,” making it a very different experience to how most superhero movies are made these days.
He explained to the magazine, “I was lucky because the word ‘franchise’ didn’t exist back then. Batman felt a bit experimental at the time…”
“It was out of my awareness. [of a superhero movie] I didn’t hear any of that feedback from the studio, and I was in England. [shooting the film]and further removed.
“We really had to focus on the movie and not think too much about the things they’re thinking about before they make the movie.”
Burton stepped away from the Batman franchise after making the 1992 sequel, but acknowledged that the tides were beginning to turn while he was making the movie.
He added: “I feel invigorated by what has happened. [when I returned for the sequel]That’s when we started hearing the word franchise and studios started thinking, “What’s that black thing coming out of the Penguin’s mouth?”
“It was the first time I’d ever felt such cold wind blowing on me.”
Burton came close to returning to superhero films in the 1990s when he signed on to direct Superman Lives, starring Nicolas Cage, but the project was cancelled in 1998 and never made.
Burton previously admitted in an interview with the BFI that the film’s cancellation has haunted him ever since, but said he had “no regrets.”
“Let me say this: If you work on a project for a long time and it doesn’t happen, it affects the rest of your life.”
“When you are passionate about something, each thing is an unknown journey and you’re not there yet, but it’s one of those experiences you never forget.”