The Nightmare Before Christmas director said it was unfair that Tim Burton received all the credit for the groundbreaking 1993 film.
Henry Selick sat down for an interview with the AV Club on Halloween because he said it was a bit disingenuous to market the film Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas when he was directing.
No doubt Disney wanted Tim’s name for the project after successes with Batman, Batman Returns and Edward Scissorhands.
This is Halloween: The director of The Nightmare Before Christmas has said it was unfair that Tim Burton received all the credit for the groundbreaking 1993 film
Taking a stand: Henry Selick (pictured in Savannah Georgia last month) sat down for an interview with the AV Club on Halloween as he said it was a bit disingenuous to market the film Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas when he was directing it led
But Henry, 69, found the last-minute decision to market it a bit dishonest, explaining: “No, that was a bit unfair because it was only three weeks before the movie was out that ‘Tim Burton’s Nightmare’ was out. And I would have been fine with that if I signed up for it.
“But Tim was in LA making two feature films while I was directing this film and I think Tim is a genius – or he was certainly in his prime. I always thought his story was perfect and he designed the main characters. But it really was me and my team that brought this to life.”
Henry understands the fact that anyone who has had a starring role in this film would believe it was a project, including producer Danny Elfman.
Legend: No doubt Disney wanted Tim’s name for the project after successes with Batman, Batman Returns and Edward Scissorhands, he stars in Lyon, France last month
Henry, 69, found the last-minute decision to market it a bit dishonest, explaining, “No, that was a bit unfair because it was only three weeks before the movie ‘Tim Burton’s Nightmare’ was out. And I would have been fine with that if I signed up for it.
“Well, of course, if you ask Danny Elfman, well, that’s his movie”: Henry understands the fact that any person who played a major role in this movie would believe it was a project, including Producer Danny Elfman (pictured in LA last month)
He said with a laugh, “Well, of course, if you ask Danny Elfman, well that’s his film.
“When we finished the film, it was so funny because he came up to me and shook my hand. “Henry, you did a wonderful job illustrating my songs!” And he meant it, and I loved it! Fine.
“But my thing was that I’m going to hold out long enough for people to actually say, ‘Oh, that Henry guy, he makes stuff.’
Henry later directed James And The Giant Peach and Coraline. His latest project, Wendell & Wild, is a Netflix animated film produced by Get Out’s Jordan Peele.
Paving the way: Henry directed James And The Giant Peach and Coraline (pictured)
Exciting: His latest project, Wendell & Wild, is a Netflix animated film produced by Get Out’s Jordan Peele
Genius: Peele hits Hollywood in July
He said it all worked out in the end as he explained: “And so in the long run, especially with Coraline and this movie, I mean Coraline is based on a really good book by Neil Gaiman. That didn’t hurt.
“My collaborator here is Jordan Peele – and that’s why we were able to pull this off. That’s why I really, really enjoy working together. But I’m the one leading the team to make the film.”
The Nightmare Before Christmas was ultimately considered a “sleeper hit,” grossing $50 million at the box office and influencing many films over the years.
Iconic: The Nightmare Before Christmas was ultimately considered a “sleeper hit,” grossing $50 million at the box office and influencing many films over the years