Tim Burton Breaks Silence On Claims Of 'White-Washed Cast' As 'Beetlejuice 2' Gets Slammed With Racism Allegations

Can Tim Burton’s signature style survive the growing demand for diversity in Hollywood?

Jesse

• Published in News
• September 20, 2024

Tim Burton is no stranger to controversy, especially when it comes to the representation in his films. The eccentric director and producer, whose filmography reads like a gothic fairy tale, is back in the spotlight—with fresh allegations of racial insensitivity. 

Burton’s casting choices have frequently been called out for not being diverse enough. And now, the release of Beetlejuice 2 has reignited discussions about the lack of diversity in his movies—and with it came a fresh round of debate.

The controversy began with a scene involving a 'Soul Train' reference, meant to pay homage to the beloved 70s TV show. Many found it less of a celebration and more of an offensive caricature.

Users took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their displeasure, with one user calling it “unnecessarily racist” and “confusing.” Another simply labeled it as “racist as hell.” One viewer even said it was unfortunate that the only time Black people were featured in the film was as part of this controversial scene.

This isn’t the first time Burton has been at the center of such a controversy. Back in 1993, his stop-motion classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas, faced backlash over the character Oogie Boogie, voiced by Black actor Ken Page.

Screenwriter Caroline Thompson revealed in an interview that the term "Oogie Boogie" carried derogatory connotations in the American South and expressed concerns about the portrayal. 

In his words, “Oogie Boogie is a derogatory term for African Americans in the American South. I begged the powers that be to change something about that character because of that."

Despite her objections, the character remained as written, leading to what Thompson described as a “troubling part of the film.”

As Beetlejuice returns, the halls of the afterlife might be more haunted by controversy than by ghosts.

Back in 2016, Burton found himself defending his casting choices once again while promoting Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. The film was criticized for its predominantly white cast. 

In a rather candid response, Burton argued that diversity for diversity’s sake felt more offensive than authentic. “When I was a child, I used to get more offended when things felt politically correct for no reason,” Burton said, reminiscing about the days when shows like The Brady Bunch made sudden attempts at inclusivity. 

Visionary or villain? Tim Burton faces the dark side of criticism, as Beetlejuice 2 sparks accusations of racial insensitivity.

He continued, “I grew up watching blaxploitation films, and I didn’t think there should be more white people in those.”

Burton's point was that forced diversity for the sake of political correctness can be just as uncomfortable, from his perspective, as a lack of it. However, this statement didn’t exactly sit well with many who felt his comments ignored the importance of genuine representation.

Check out the Beetlejuice teaser trailer

Now, with Beetlejuice 2 caught in yet another racial debate, it seems Burton’s films will continue to stir up these conversations.

Whether this will impact the film’s reception remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: the director’s bold, often controversial vision isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Jesse