Tim Burton spoke about Flash, the latest film in the DC film universe. The creative, who has had several encounters with superhero movies in his career, did not have very flattering things to say about the multiversal film focused on the fastest man on the planet.
Specifically, Burton referred to the way in which, within fiction, two versions of heroes developed by him years ago were used: Batman and Superman. A large number of people know the director’s work with the figure of the Gotham City vigilante. However, a stage in his career that has not had as much publicity is the one in which he prepared to direct a film about the son of Krypton. This would have Nicolas Cage as the star.
In Flash, both films are referenced. The Burtonian Bat-Man played by Michael Keaton is practically the co-star of the adventure. On the other hand, his Superman, complete with Cage’s appearance, appears in a cameo.
As part of a talk with the British Film Institute (BFI), the interviewer mentioned the appearance of both heroes in the film. He also asked the filmmaker if he regretted not being able to do his version of Kal-El’s story. Burton responded with overwhelming sincerity:
“No, I don’t regret it. I will say this: when you work so long on a project and it doesn’t get done, it affects you for the rest of your life. Because you are passionate about things, and each thing is an unknown journey, and it is not there yet. But it is one of those experiences that never leaves you, not even a little bit.”
It was then that he dealt the blow to the film Flash. He assures that the studio that produced it – Warner Bros. – did what it wanted with his work. These were his words:
“But it’s also another thing about artificial intelligence, and this is why I think I’m done with the study. They can take what you did, Batman or whatever, and culturally misappropriate it, or whatever you want to call it. Even if you are a slave to Disney or Warner Brothers, they can do whatever they want. So, in the last years of my life, I am quietly rebelling against all of this.”
Burton does not directly mention the film directed by Andy Muschietti. However, it is clear that he, in a veiled way, criticized her, since she presents a Batman very different from his own.
Additionally, by mentioning artificial intelligence, he makes it clear that he disagrees with how computer-generated graphics were used to incorporate Cage into the story. The actor has a scene in which he appears fighting a giant mechanical spider.
On previous occasions, the director also responsible for Beetlejuice, the super ghost (1988) has already expressed his discontent with the use of modern technology in cinema. Recently, he told The Independent that artificial intelligence “takes something of your soul.”
Do you agree with Tim Burton’s comments about Flash? The film can be seen on HBO Max.
José Roberto Landaverde I am fascinated by writing, listening, reading and commenting on everything related to cinema. I love music and I am a fan of The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac and Paramore. My favorite movies are Rocky and Back to the Future and obviously one day I will climb the “Philly Steps” and drive a DeLorean. Faithful believer that cinema is the best teleporting machine, and also that on the big screen we can all see ourselves represented.