Warning: Spoilers ahead for Wednesday season 2, part 1!Wednesdayseason 2 is full of surprises, but one particular surprise in part 1 incorporates an iconic aspect of Tim Burton’s filmmaking into the show. While Alfred Gough and Miles Millar act as showrunners, Burton serves as a director and executive producer of the hit Netflix series. Therefore, many of Burton’s trademarks have made it intoWednesday, such as the Hyde monster design.
ThoughWednesdayseason 2’s filming locationshave changed since season 1, the overall vibe fits with Burton’s signature aesthetic. In fact, working onWednesdaywas what convinced Tim Burton to makeBeetlejuice 2over 30 years after the original debuted. Not only did he reunite several members of the cast, but he also re-teamed withWednesdaystar Jenna Ortega.
Thankfully, Tim Burton also decided to return alongside the majority ofWednesday’s core characters, in addition to some noteworthy newcomers. IfWednesdayseason 2’s castwasn’t exciting enough, Burton utilizes his expertise to introduce a different form of storytelling that fans of the filmmaker will appreciate.
Wednesday Season 2 Includes Tim Burton’s Iconic Stop-Motion Animation Trademark
Wednesday makes her official return to Nevermore Academy in season 2’s premiere episode, “Here We Woe Again,” which is also directed by Tim Burton. This time around, Wednesday isn’t the onlyAddams Family memberattending the school, as Pugsley is joining his sister. While Pugsley learns about Nevermore’s dark history, Ajax narrates a story in the form of Burton’s trademark stop-motion.
“The Tale of the Skull Tree” was created by Burton and shares the legend of “a brilliant boy with a fragile heart.” To save his own life, the boy invented a mechanical heart made from a clock. Though he became a legend at Nevermore, the boy grew into a man with a “cold” heart, obsessing over his inventions until “his genius cost him his life.” Watch the full stop-motion short below:
One look at “The Tale of the Skull Tree” and fans of Burton would instantly recognize his distinctive gothic stop-motion animation style. Though some of Burton’s best movies are live-action, stop-motion will always be one of his most celebrated trademarks.
After debuting the stop-motion style in his firstVincent Price moviefrom 1982, the filmmaker showed off his trademark in notable titles, includingThe Nightmare Before Christmas,Corpse Bride, andFrankenweenie. Finally, Burton has brought his signature animation style inWednesdayfor a legendary Nevermore tale.
Wednesday Season 2 Further Proves Tim Burton Needs To Make Another Stop-Motion Movie
Despite Burton’s success in animated projects, he hasn’t made a stop-motion movie since 2012. There have always been rumors of anotherThe Nightmare Before Christmasmovie, whether it’s a sequel or prequel, but Burton has been outspoken about his disinterest in making another chapter of Henry Selick’s 1993 movie.
Tim Burton also directed Lady Gaga’s music video for “Dead Dance,” a song set to debut withWednesdayseason 2, part 2.
Granted,Wednesdayseason 2’s animation sequence helps prove why Burton needs to return to stop-motion. Burton’s most recent movie,Beetlejuice 2, also featured a short stop-motion sequence, which depicted thedeath of Charles Deetz. Seeing as Burton has used the animation style in his last two projects, it’s clearly something that he’s always eager to dive into when the opportunity arises.
Hopefully, his recent animated work in theBeetlejuicesequel andWednesdayseason 2 is a sign that Burton plans to make another full-feature stop-motion film in the near future.
