Notable director of The Addams family talked about how they approached Tim Burton for the movie but he was busy with Johnny Depp in 1990!

Johnny Depp is an iconic actor who found worldwide fame and critical acclaim through his various roles as Captain Jack Sparrow, Edward Scissorhands, and, Willy Wonka.

Tim Burton | Credits: Gage Skidmore, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Being a fabulous actor, Depp had his fair share of struggles during his initial days in Hollywood. However, director Tim Burton had so much faith in himself and Depp that he chose to neglect an Addams Family movie in the works and chose to create the 1990 film Edward Scissorhands.

Tim Burton Was Approached For The Addams Family

Tim Burton has often been called to direct and produce movies that are gothic in nature. Movies like Sleepy Hollow, Edward Scissorhands, and, Beetlejuice are prime examples of his movies.

A still from Addams Family Values | Credits: Scott Rudin Productions

So it was only natural when producer Scott Rudin wanted to make a film about the Addams Family, he approached notable director Tim Burton. According to a conversation with EW, Barry Sonnenfeld talked about the directors that were there before him.

Sonnefeld recalled the moment he was approached by Rudin to take up the job of being a director. The Addams Family was his directorial debut but he only got the job since Tim Burton was busy making Johnny Depp’s Edward Scissorhands.

[Rudin said to me] ‘I sent the script to Tim Burton and Terry Gilliam and they both passed. After those two, I had a choice: give it to some safe hack comedy director or take a chance on someone who might do a brilliant job. Someone who was a visual stylist.

Sonnenfeld further continued,

[Rudin said] The movie has to create a world and be amazing to look at — like Charles Addams’ drawings. So that’s why you’re here. All the good directors passed.

Well, although Tim Burton was busy making Edward Scissorhands and the 1992 film Batman Returns, there seem to be more reasons why the director decided to focus on his other projects more.

It doesn’t seem like Tim Burton’s behavior to reject an Addams Family movie but that’s what the director did. Years later in a separate interview, Burton may have finally answered why he passed up on the opportunity until Netflix’s Wednesday.

Why Did Tim Burton Pass The Opportunity But Returned For Wednesday?

Although it was a personal preference of Tim Burton, there are speculations that he didn’t feel drawn to the script of The Addams Family that much. As far as Burton goes, he would love some gothic drama if the script is really good.

A still from Tim Burton’s Wednesday | Credits: Netflix

In an interview (via CBR), Burton talked about why he decided to agree to direct the Netflix series Wednesday. Although Burton got to work with the Addams family after all, it wasn’t what people expected.

[The screenplay] just spoke to me about how I felt in school and how you feel about your parents, how you feel as a person. It gave the Addams Family a different kind of reality. It was an interesting combination. I’d never done something like this, you know…television.

Well, it seems to have been the right choice since Tim Burton’s Wednesday received a rating of 8.1/10 on IMDB and a whopping 73% on Rotten Tomatoes. On the other hand, Edward Scissorhands went on to become one of the most iconic movies in Hollywood.

The 1991 film The Addams Family also received great ratings of 6.9/10 on IMDB and 67% on Rotten Tomatoes but had a strong box office collection that made almost seven times more than the budget (via IMDB).