Michael Keaton Says He ‘Sucked’ in ‘Dumbo’ and It’s the ‘One Movie’ Where He Let Tim Burton Down: ‘It Bugs Me to This Day. I Was Clueless’

As a seasoned film critic with over three decades of experience under my belt, I must say that Michael Keaton and Tim Burton’s latest collaboration, “Dumbo,” left me feeling a tad melancholic. Keaton’s heartfelt admission to The New York Times about his performance in the film resonated with me, as I too have had moments of regret when watching some of my favorite actors falter on the silver screen.


Michael Keaton recently admitted to The New York Times a feeling of remorse about his acting in Tim Burton’s 2019 live-action “Dumbo” movie. As an Academy Award nominee, he portrayed a money-grubbing amusement park owner, working alongside Colin Farrell, Eva Green, and Danny DeVito. The film, which received mixed opinions from critics, was considered a financial letdown for Disney as it grossed only slightly over $350 million globally at the box office.

“Ever since collaborating with Tim, I’ve found our partnership incredibly enjoyable, yet I can’t quite put my finger on why it works so seamlessly – we just click,” I confided to The Times. “I regret my performance on one film, but that’s my own fault and something I still carry with me today. I was out of my depth during ‘Dumbo’. frankly, I didn’t deliver my best in ‘Dumbo’.”

Burton entered the conversation with Keaton during their interview at The Times, interjecting to remark: “To be honest, I have no idea what you’re discussing, but I suppose it doesn’t matter.”

Opinions about Keaton’s portrayal of the villain in the film were varied. In his assessment, critic Owen Gleiberman from EbMaster’s expressed that Keaton’s performance as the malevolent Vandevere was underdeveloped; he had a gravelly voice but lacked depth or complexity.

Keaton’s discontentment in “Dumbo” echoes Burton’s feelings, who has been candid since the movie’s 2019 premiere about the fact that working on such a large-scale Disney project wasn’t particularly enjoyable for him. In a recent conversation with EbMaster, Burton admitted he even considered quitting directing after the film.

In simpler words, Burton admitted, “After ‘Dumbo,’ I was genuinely unsure.” He felt as though he might’ve called it a day then, perhaps retiring, or finding another path, one that wouldn’t lead him back to animation, as that chapter seemed closed.

Burton found his passion for filmmaking rekindled by the upcoming “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” He explained, “In Hollywood, there’s a tendency to focus on budget and responsibility, which can sometimes make you lose sight of yourself. This project reminded me that it’s crucial to follow my own desires, as it benefits everyone in the end.”

At the 2019 Lumière Festival, Burton expressed, “I believe my Disney days are over. ‘Dumbo’ made me realize that I was like Dumbo, trapped in this giant circus. It was time for me to break free. In a way, that film holds some autobiographical elements.”

Keaton and Burton have had a long-standing friendship and professional partnership, having worked side by side on “Beetlejuice,” “Batman,” “Batman Returns,” “Batman Forever,” “Dumbo,” and the upcoming film “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” The latter is set to hit theaters starting September 6, distributed by Warner Bros.

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2024-08-29 00:46