I firmly believe that Tim Burton is an eccentric genius and possibly one of the most interesting directors in the history of American cinema. But that doesn’t mean I cosign every facet of his life and career. In the middle of the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard divorce drama, Burton clearly sided with Depp, his longtime friend and collaborator. Burton was briefly “on tour” with Depp and the Hollywood Vampires, and there were social media photos of the two men. It was obvious what we were supposed to take away: if a genius like Tim Burton cosigns Johnny Depp, he can’t be too bad, right? So, Burton is currently promoting premiere Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children, a film free of Depp, and he got some Depp questions while doing a Q&A session at Fantastic Fest in Austin. Some highlights:
Burton on the press: “Any story I read about anybody I know in the press, I always feel it’s a bizarre parallel. I’ve had things written about me where I go, I’m living in Bizarro World.”
His thoughts on Johnny Depp & the press around him: “I always take it with a grain of salt and everything ends up working itself out. But I love him. I love everyone.”
Working with child actors: “I really don’t like kids very much. I have two kids and I like them… sometimes. But honestly, the weird thing is a lot of the kids in this film hadn’t worked before, some had done movies and some hadn’t. Sometimes you meet children and it’s like they’ve been in this life before, they had a past life. Like oh my god, how old are you? Are you 9 or are you 90? You hear about nightmare children—and I’ve worked with some in the past. They kind of freak me out.”
Well… at least he didn’t offer a full-throated defense of Depp’s actions, nor did Burton climb into controversy by somehow justifying Depp’s alleged behavior. Like, I understand how it’s difficult for many people to imagine that their friend of three decades has turned into an alleged abuser. I also don’t blame those long-time friends for offering support. But it has to be worded the right way, I think? And this is probably the best way to do it – just say, “I love the guy, I hoped everything would work itself out, next question.”
Photos courtesy of WENN.
“I have two kids, and I like them….sometimes” How heartwarming! I hope his kids don’t read this interview.
He doesn’t seem very warm…I m glad Helena doesn’t have to deal with him anymore
He seems a huge jerk…….
Lol, honestly my mom told me she never liked children but she still loves me. People are weird like that.
Please as if parents don’t think their kids are annoying sometimes. That comment doesn’t mean he doesn’t love them.
Thank you! Are we sure he wasn’t joking? Said it with a wink? I’ve said the same thing about my kids, especially my toddler. As their mother I don’t think anyone can love them as much as I do but they don’t poo rainbows.
Frankly, I’m surprised I like my kid, as I don’t like children at all. So I get his comment. Kids can be insufferable sometimes.
I published and then unpublished this earlier today because people wanted to talk about Burton’s comment on race/film. Here’s that story:
http://www.celebitchy.com/506308/tim_burton_is_more_offended_by_political_correct_inclusion_than_lack_of_diversity/
Kaiser, why did you withdraw that story? It was more interesting than this one, or atleast more newsworthy.
Per your last comment on the other post, Tim, you don’t love diversity 🙁
EDIT: Oops, I thought I was responding to the other TB thread. I mean, I see where he is coming from. He’s known Johnny for almost 30 years–he’s his friend, his son’s godfather. I do appreciate that he doesn’t trash Amber like Benicio or Terry did nor does he passionately defend Johnny. He’s his buddy and he loves him and it must be heartbreaking to see the mess he created.
As far as directors go, America has yielded John Waters, Stanley Kubrick, Jim Jarmusch, and, I know he’s super mainstream but, Steven Spielberg… countless others…Kaiser, I’ll follow you down many paths, but I’m not sure about Tim Burton being the most interesting.
“I really don’t like kids very much.”
Same.
Says the man who was photographed making out with another woman in an alley while still with Helena for nearly 14 years…
wow two reasons to cancel tim burton in one day
Yeah, I’m probably going to boycott this movie. Too bad, because it looked interesting.
Uh yeah, dude loves everyone provided they’re white.
He loves everyone except kids.
at least he didn’t trashed Amber as his other friends…
I totally agree with him about kids, I feel like that too.
And he and Depp have been close friends for 25 years, of course he’s going to stand by him, he’d be a totally dick if he just turned his back on his friend when shit hit the fan.