Grim Fandango movie to be directed by Tim Burton?

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16 Jul 2006, 10:18 PM
Videodrone

Grim Fandango movie to be directed by Tim Burton?

Also mentioned on G4's "The Feed":

Quote:

Tim Burton’s future projects: “Well, I’m currently woerking on Sweeny Todd, which will be released in mid-2007. After that, I’m gonna start working on a new script that was sent to me recently: Grim Fandango. It sort of follows the style of The nightmare before Christmas and Corpse Bride. It’s about a surreal land of the dead, some sort of purgatory where everyone goes when they die. In that place, dead people have to make a four-year transition before they can rest in peace for all the eternity. I still don’t know when we’re going to start filming this, though.

Source:
http://themoviecenter.wordpress.com/...e-los-muertos/

Discuss...
16 Jul 2006, 10:25 PM
Brand X

~ I <3 Tim Burton. ~
16 Jul 2006, 10:26 PM
Andy

I'm certainly not expecting it, but will be delighted if it comes to fruition.
16 Jul 2006, 10:32 PM
sethsez

If this is true, I hope he actually pays attention to the noir-esque aspects of it, rather than using his typical "weird spirals 'n shit all over the place" approach. The visual style is already set, what matters is how he directs it.
16 Jul 2006, 10:33 PM
Frogacuda

Could not be a more perfect match. I hope they preserve the film noir overtones for the movie adaptations.

I wonder if they'll use the original character designs, or if Burton will do his own.
16 Jul 2006, 10:34 PM
avatar

I can see it working. Tim Burton's movies have a pretty heavy following that pretty much gurantees financial success and the animation in his movies always look crisp.

I want more news especially about the script and casting before i judge.
16 Jul 2006, 10:40 PM
epmode

A few days ago, there was a GAF thread with the same exact link. Someone debunked the rumor a few posts in.

<3 Grim Fandango <3
16 Jul 2006, 10:43 PM
sethsez

Quote:

Originally Posted by epmode

Someone debunked the rumor a few posts in.

That's a relief. :) I like Burton, but I get the feeling he'd miss what made Grim Fandango so appealing.
16 Jul 2006, 10:46 PM
Drewbacca

It doesn't even seem like he realized it's based on a video game, which is good news (no "THIS IS A VIDEO GAME MOVIE!!!" bullshit). Colour me interested, and also optimistic because Corpse Bride was pretty swell, and claymation is always a nice departure from the norm.
16 Jul 2006, 11:02 PM
napalm

Videogame or not, Grim Fandango has an amazing storyline and style. Too bad it's been busted, because I was beggining to get excited.
16 Jul 2006, 11:02 PM
Frogacuda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

It doesn't even seem like he realized it's based on a video game,

Likely true. When working with Kevin Smith on the Superman movie he once told Kevin "I don't read comic books." He doesn't give a crap about being faithful.
16 Jul 2006, 11:12 PM
sethsez

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogacuda

Likely true. When working with Kevin Smith on the Superman movie he once told Kevin "I don't read comic books." He doesn't give a crap about being faithful.

This is why I don't think he could capture what made the game work. It was fun because the characters, settings and situations were all completely typical film noir staples, but with a (very well realized and fleshed out) twist. I wouldn't trust Burton to be able to go beyond "lol skeletons."
17 Jul 2006, 02:48 AM
Grave

Quote:

Originally Posted by sethsez

fleshed out

lol skeletons

No, I'm glad Tim Burton isn't doing this.
17 Jul 2006, 03:00 AM
Geen

I'd rather see the game get a rerelease then to see it made into a film. Leave games as games and movies as movies. Thanks.
17 Jul 2006, 04:53 AM
Eightbitbreaks

Seriously, especially when Tim Burton takes it and transforms it into a Hot Topic Gothfest.
17 Jul 2006, 10:13 AM
Diff-chan

I think they need to get a Latin American director on this. Tim Burton isn't a good fit, at all.
17 Jul 2006, 11:12 AM
Dolemite

I'm so tired of Tim Burton. Yeah, you're all gothy and shit. We get it.
17 Jul 2006, 11:16 AM
JefmcC

One trick pony.

And Corpse Bride sucked hard.
17 Jul 2006, 04:40 PM
Frogacuda

People need to give Burton more credit. Come one Pee Wee's Big Advenutre, Ed Wood, Beetlejuice... great shit. He's a talented director, with a lot of style, and a great sense of humor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

I'm so tired of Tim Burton. Yeah, you're all gothy and shit. We get it.

Oh shut up, and stop trying so hard to be cool. Tim Burton has done like 20 movies. NBX, Beetlejuice, and Corpse Bride were the only ones that could be described as remotely gothy And 2 of those 3 are great.
17 Jul 2006, 04:46 PM
sethsez

My big concern with him is that he wouldn't be able to play it straight, which is part of what made the game so charming. It had a bunch of weird shit going on but was presented as a typical noir thriller. Burton's style is great when he's trying to show off how weird and fantastic everything is, but that wouldn't really work here.
17 Jul 2006, 04:53 PM
Frogacuda

Quote:

Originally Posted by sethsez

My big concern with him is that he wouldn't be able to play it straight, which is part of what made the game so charming. It had a bunch of weird shit going on but was presented as a typical noir thriller. Burton's style is great when he's trying to show off how weird and fantastic everything is, but that wouldn't really work here.

Yeah, I wasn't addressing you, as much as JefmcC's "One trick pony" comment. In fact I think I made a similar comment about hoping he would preserve the noir style in my first post on the thread.

I mean I think he's perfectly capable of doing this, honestly, but wether or not he'd even know to is questionable, since he might not be particularly concerned with being faithful. I mean he was faithful to Charlie and the Choclate Factory, but he really kinda redefined Batman, so I guess it depends on his affinity for the source material.
17 Jul 2006, 04:56 PM
Diff-chan

Im just sick of every time you hear about some concept that is slightly off the wall, everyone saying, THATS SO TIM BURTON!
17 Jul 2006, 05:00 PM
Frogacuda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diff-chan

Im just sick of every time you hear about some concept that is slightly off the wall, everyone saying, THATS SO TIM BURTON!

Yeah, well the man's films are iconic. You can't blame him for that. Do you get mad when people say "That's so Dr. Seuss", too?
17 Jul 2006, 05:12 PM
Diff-chan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogacuda

Yeah, well the man's films are iconic. You can't blame him for that. Do you get mad when people say "That's so Dr. Seuss", too?

I've never heard a single person say that.
17 Jul 2006, 05:25 PM
kingoffighters

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diff-chan

Im just sick of every time you hear about some concept that is slightly off the wall, everyone saying, THATS SO TIM BURTON!

Agreed, overrated HACk!
17 Jul 2006, 05:38 PM
JefmcC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogacuda

Yeah, I wasn't addressing you, as much as JefmcC's "One trick pony" comment. In fact I think I made a similar comment about hoping he would preserve the noir style in my first post on the thread.

I mean I think he's perfectly capable of doing this, honestly, but wether or not he'd even know to is questionable, since he might not be particularly concerned with being faithful. I mean he was faithful to Charlie and the Choclate Factory, but he really kinda redefined Batman, so I guess it depends on his affinity for the source material.

I just don't like his movies. I do like NBXM, Mars Attacks, and Beetle Juice.
And honestly the things I like about those movies have nothing to do with his directing style.
17 Jul 2006, 05:44 PM
Frogacuda

Quote:

Originally Posted by JefmcC

I just don't like his movies. I do like NBXM, Mars Attacks, and Beetle Juice.
And honestly the things I like about those movies have nothing to do with his directing style.

Good because he didn't direct NBX. He wrote the story, came up with the characters, etc. Which he also did for Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands...

He's got a pretty diverse portfolio of movies any way you slice it, though. "One Trick Pony" is unfair. Pee Wee is nothing like Ed Wood, which is nothing like Big Fish, which is nothing like NBX, which is nothing like Batman, which is nothing like Mars Attacks.
17 Jul 2006, 05:47 PM
Finch

I like Big Fish.
17 Jul 2006, 05:49 PM
Frogacuda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finch

I like Big Fish.

I do too. I like Mars Attacks also, but I know there's a lot of people 'round here that don't like those two.

I even think Planet of the Apes would have been ok, if not for the most retarded ending in movie history.
17 Jul 2006, 05:51 PM
Dolemite

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogacuda

Oh shut up, and stop trying so hard to be cool.

WTF, is he your husband or something? Stop being a cunt, it's not like I was hating on that XM radio you love so much.
17 Jul 2006, 05:54 PM
Frogacuda

It was a dumb comment, man. Would you call Pee Wee or Ed Wood or Big Fish gothy? It just comes off like "backlash against popular guy because people I don't like enjoy his work". Blah blah hot topic reference blah blah gothemo. We're all impressed that you're too cool for Tim Burton movies and angsty teens aren't.
17 Jul 2006, 06:02 PM
Dolemite

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogacuda

It was a dumb comment, man. Would you call Pee Wee or Ed Wood or Big Fish gothy?

Yes. And let's not forget Planet of the Apes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogacuda

Tim Burton has done like 20 movies. NBX, Beetlejuice, and Corpse Bride were the only ones that could be described as remotely gothy

Batman, Batman Returns, Sleepy Hollow, and Edward Scissorhands have rather heavy dark and/or gothy-undertones/design elements, IMO.
17 Jul 2006, 06:05 PM
Frogacuda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

Batman, Batman Returns, Sleepy Hollow, Edward Scissorhands have rather heavy dark and/or gothy-undertones/design elements, IMO.

Batman was dark, but not gothy. He was still quite the badass superhero just as he should have been. And it totally revitalized that franchise.

And sleepy hollow... I mean it's sleepy hollow, how do you want him to handle that? It was a straight-faced period-piece horror/suspense film, but I don't think it was gothy beyond that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

Yes. And let's not forget Planet of the Apes.

Stupid remake of a stupid original. It honestly looked great, and it was fun to watch until that awful ending. If not for that last scene, I'd say it was a decent movie.

But I'm going to lose this debate, so I'll leave it at that.
17 Jul 2006, 06:05 PM
Dolemite

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogacuda

It was a dumb comment, man. Would you call Pee Wee or Ed Wood or Big Fish gothy? It just comes off like "backlash against popular guy because people I don't like enjoy his work". Blah blah hot topic reference blah blah gothemo. We're all impressed that you're too cool for Tim Burton movies and angsty teens aren't.

Where did I say I didn't like Tim Burton or that I'm "too cool" for him? I've said before that he's a very uneven director- some of his movies are great, some are total shit. You're drawing your own silly conclusions here and acting like I'm saying your mom's twat stinks like sewage or something. Simmer down, fella.

O&A suck, BTW.
17 Jul 2006, 06:08 PM
Frogacuda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

Where did I say I didn't like Tim Burton

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

I'm so tired of Tim Burton.

Yeah, I'm so crazy, I know.

I was calling you out on a generalization that maybe you didn't mean to make. We can leave it at that.
17 Jul 2006, 06:09 PM
Dolemite

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogacuda

Batman was dark, but not gothy. He was still quite the badass superhero just as he should have been. And it totally revitalized that franchise.

I liked Batman. A lot. To date I still think it's the all-time best Batman movie.

Batman Returns was horrible, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogacuda

Yeah, I'm so crazy, I know.

I was calling you out on a generalization that maybe you didn't mean to make. We can leave it at that.

You can love ice cream, but get tired of it.
17 Jul 2006, 06:09 PM
Frogacuda

I need to see Returns again. I remember liking it, but I probably haven't seen it in 8 years.
17 Jul 2006, 06:42 PM
JefmcC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogacuda

Good because he didn't direct NBX. He wrote the story, came up with the characters, etc. Which he also did for Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands...

He's got a pretty diverse portfolio of movies any way you slice it, though. "One Trick Pony" is unfair. Pee Wee is nothing like Ed Wood, which is nothing like Big Fish, which is nothing like NBX, which is nothing like Batman, which is nothing like Mars Attacks.

Good god, it's easy to push your buttons. Can't a guy just not like Tim Burton? :lol:
17 Jul 2006, 06:48 PM
Dolemite

Seriously. Don't get him started on XM.
17 Jul 2006, 06:59 PM
Frogacuda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

Seriously. Don't get him started on XM.

I love the XM, but I really don't give a shit if anyone else does, honestly. I get sucked into the XM vs Sirius discussions, and I do like XM better, but I think they're both good. I like stern too, just not as much as I used to and not as much as O&A. Don't mistake the number of words I waste on that issue for caring all that much. It's more that I care about sattelite radio in general.

http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~tfahs/D...%20mention.mp3
18 Jul 2006, 01:14 AM
TobalRox

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

I liked Batman. A lot. To date I still think it's the all-time best Batman movie.

Batman Returns was horrible, though.

While a great movie, I don't think it's aged as well as it could have... I personally think Mask of the Phantasm is a better Batman movie. I also thought Begins was great.

Returns also has not aged well (just like the first), but I still feel it's an entertaining movie despite allthe changes it makes over the comics... besides, it has Walken! :)
18 Jul 2006, 11:01 AM
Dolemite

Quote:

Originally Posted by TobalRox

While a great movie, I don't think it's aged as well as it could have...

YOU'RE FUCKING DUMB!!! IT'S AWESOME!!! AARRGGGHHH!!!!

...oh, sorry. I don't know what got over me.

Quote:

I personally think Mask of the Phantasm is a better Batman movie.

Well, if we're talking all forms of Batman, not just live action movies, than I have to say that The Animated Series is probably the best Batman's ever been.

Quote:

I also thought Begins was great.

I liked Begins a lot, and I'm a huge Bale fan, but something about that movie was a tad...off for me. The first half was awesome, but overall I thought the movie was a little too long and drawn-out. It need to have some fat trimmed to tighten it up.

The funky neck of that Bat costume bothered me as well. :)
18 Jul 2006, 11:13 AM
Frogacuda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

I thought the movie was a little too long and drawn-out. It need to have some fat trimmed to tighten it up.

I miss when studios thought people couldn't sit through a movie that was more than 2 hours. Thanks to the success of Peter Jackson editing is a lost art.
18 Jul 2006, 11:21 AM
Grave

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogacuda

I miss when studios thought people couldn't sit through a movie that was more than 2 hours. Thanks to the success of Peter Jackson editing is a lost art.

Fuck that. The real trouble with the success of Peter Jackson is that he's never going to make another movie like Meet the Feebles, Bad Taste, or Braindead/Dead Alive.

Really, though, I'm okay with long movies. People always complain that Batman Begins or Pirates of the Caribbean were too long or dragged in parts, and I didn't see it. I still haven't seen King Kong, though, and people tell me that it was absolutely ridiculous in terms of running way too long.
18 Jul 2006, 11:22 AM
Dolemite

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogacuda

I miss when studios thought people couldn't sit through a movie that was more than 2 hours. Thanks to the success of Peter Jackson editing is a lost art.

I can't count the number of movies recently that would have totally rocked if they had maybe 20 minutes cut.

However, being over 2 hours isn't always bad if a director needs that time to keep things engaging or to tell an expanded story. It's really tricky. Superman Returns was 2 1/2 hours and I thought it totally worked at that length. Batman Begins, for me, didn't.
18 Jul 2006, 11:28 AM
Frogacuda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

I can't count the number of movies recently that would have totally rocked if they had maybe 20 minutes cut.

However, being over 2 hours isn't always bad if a director needs that time to keep things engaging or to tell an expanded story.

Oh, I know. In fact, LotR were fine at their length, as well as The Shining, Shawshank Redemption, and a lot of other great movies.

But it used to be thought of as something to be avoided if possible, and now people will make them 3 hours even if it could be a lot shorter.

It's funny how just a couple years ago they made tarantino split up Kill Bill.
18 Jul 2006, 11:45 AM
Dolemite

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogacuda

Oh, I know. In fact, LotR were fine at their length, as well as The Shining, Shawshank Redemption

See, that's a perfect example. Until right this second when you told me, I didn't realize The Shawshank Redemption was over 2 hours. I just didn't notice it. That's the goal with filmmaking.

But too many movies nowadays are jumping on the "lets throw in every scrap of footage that would normally be left on the cutting room floor" bandwagon, and then adding another 10 minutes for the DVD "UNRATED EXTREME TOO HOT FOR THEATERS" Director's Cut. It's just too fucking much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogacuda

It's funny how just a couple years ago they made tarantino split up Kill Bill.

That's the rare instance of a movie that should have been a single 3+ hour monster.
20 Jul 2006, 12:10 PM
TobalRox

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

YOU'RE FUCKING DUMB!!! IT'S AWESOME!!! AARRGGGHHH!!!!

I really like the movie a lot, don't get me wrong... but it didn't age well, so I don't love it as much as I used to when I was a kid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

Well, if we're talking all forms of Batman, not just live action movies, than I have to say that The Animated Series is probably the best Batman's ever been.

This is true, but Mask of the Phantasm was released theatrically, so that's why I brought it up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

I liked Begins a lot, and I'm a huge Bale fan, but something about that movie was a tad...off for me. The first half was awesome, but overall I thought the movie was a little too long and drawn-out. It need to have some fat trimmed to tighten it up.

I never had any issues with it... my only complaint about seeing it wasn't even a fault of the movie, but of the theater itself. A theater MUCH closer than the usual IMAX I had gone to decided to advertise they added an IMAX theater to their location... I went and it was nothing but disappointing since the screen was barely bigger than a normal screen and the seats were just the normal seats that were in the theater before. It sucked and wasn't worth the extra money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogacuda

I miss when studios thought people couldn't sit through a movie that was more than 2 hours. Thanks to the success of Peter Jackson editing is a lost art.

That was only a short period of time in cinema's lifespan.. many movies used to be epic and it was no big deal. Then the 80s came around and they wanted to be greedy and play movies as many times as possible per day. Granted I know movies were getting shorter before then, but the 80s were the worst.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grave

Fuck that. The real trouble with the success of Peter Jackson is that he's never going to make another movie like Meet the Feebles, Bad Taste, or Braindead/Dead Alive.

QFT! Hell, even something like The Fightners I'd take.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogacuda

It's funny how just a couple years ago they made tarantino split up Kill Bill.

You're a sucker if you think they made him split that up... that was pure greed knowing they could charge for the same movie twice. Get people to feel they have to see the 2nd half and then pay for it, then buy both of them on DVD, then buy both of them again for the eventual SEs...
20 Jul 2006, 12:14 PM
Diff-chan

I thought it was just greed too, but where are the SEs? 2 came out in early 2004. If it was greed-driven the SEs would've been out in late 2004.

Tarantino didn't want to cut anything. There's no way a 4 hour movie would fly in today's environment. That's why it was split up. Seriously.
20 Jul 2006, 12:42 PM
epmode

I still haven't bought either film because I'm waiting for those stupid SEs.

GOOD STORY, I KNOW.
20 Jul 2006, 01:00 PM
TobalRox

Quote:

Originally Posted by epmode

I still haven't bought either film because I'm waiting for those stupid SEs.

GOOD STORY, I KNOW.

Same here. And the reason for no SEs is that QT has been too busy.
20 Jul 2006, 01:02 PM
Frogacuda

Are they going to be able to fit the whole thing on one disc anyway?
23 Jul 2006, 01:45 PM
dakidski

elite news. this movie better happen.
23 Jul 2006, 01:47 PM
Klonoa

Sweeney Todd? awesome.
23 Jul 2006, 02:16 PM
Rumpy

Quote:

Originally Posted by epmode

I still haven't bought either film because I'm waiting for those stupid SEs.

GOOD STORY, I KNOW.

Me too. I remember reading that QT went to the studio and asked if they would let him cut the story as he wanted, making it 2 films. He could have made it one movie, but huge chunks would have been taken out and he knew that no one would want to sit through a 3 hour old school kung fu revenge movie.

I think it worked out for the best, in fact I like Vol. 2 more than 1.
23 Jul 2006, 02:17 PM
epmode

Quote:

Originally Posted by epmode

A few days ago, there was a GAF thread with the same exact link. Someone debunked the rumor a few posts in.

<3 Grim Fandango <3