According to creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the original script for the series Wednesday, written by Tim Burton was really “weird”. Enough to surprise even Netflix executives on first reading. The duo of creators related the singular anecdote in a extensive interview for indiewire. Apparently, the director’s premise was “creepy, wacky, and certainly very unique” for Netflix’s taste.
According to the behind-the-scenes team at Wednesday, the proposal “surprised and bothered” during the first readings. Even streaming platform executives insisted that perhaps it was necessary to “cut some lines.” The series, which tells the adventures of Wednesday, the eldest daughter of the Addams family, surprised Netflix for being more adult than expected.
Always according to the creators, Tim Burton wanted Wednesday was as gloomy, firm and cynical as its remembered film version. what included several directly violent phrases and comments. Some did not make it to the final cut, but the most emblematic of the character were a point of honor for the writers. To illustrate the situation, Gough and Millar described a scene that apparently puzzled the executives.
In it, Wednesday’s roommate, Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers), encourages her creepy new friend to “try to be social.” In her usual indifferent and cold tone, Wednesday replies: “I like to stab. The social part, not so much.
For Netflix, the allusion to a stabbing seemed too explicit, so they insisted that it be cut. “At least smoothed out,” Millar explained. But both writers were adamant about staying true to the essence of the character. So the joke reached its final version on the platform intact. “That’s the whole point of the character,” the screenwriter insisted. “To lose that, or water it down, is a betrayal of his character.”
But, despite some misunderstandings and debate over various scenes in particular, Gough added that the production had the full backing of Netflix. “(Netflix) was always very supportive and the executives were huge fans of the Addams Family.”
A journey through the rich mythology of a curious family
Co-directed and produced by Burton, the series Wednesdayfrom Netflix, became the most watched program since its premiere on the platform. But, on top of that, it seemed to prove that the eccentric Addamses still have a lot to say on the big and small screen.
The new version of the characters created by Charles Adams retain the best of their previous versions. But clearly the Burton touch gave everyone a new luster that charmed audiences worldwide and made the production a hit.
With a completely revamped cast, including Catherine Zeta Jones and Luis Guzman, Wednesday focuses on an angle of traditional history. Specifically, by reimagining the adventures of the eldest daughter of the family at Nevermore School. Endowed with psychic abilities, an infallible detective nose and her characteristic dark humor, the character surprised the public.
Especially since Jenna Ortega’s performance captured the best of Wednesday, the character who became a cinematographic icon thanks to Christina Ricci. The latter also has a prominent role in the series as a surprising villain, which gives the production a definite nostalgic air.
For Millar, it was of special interest that Wednesday had a leading role. “In previous Addams Family projects, she was never center stage,” she explained in indiewire. “This time it is, and in every possible way.” Something that the series achieves with ease and a twisted sense of humor.