Summary
From Christina Ricci to Gwendoline Christie and, of course,Jenna Ortega’s amazing portrayal of Wednesday Addams,Wednesdayseason 1 has some incredible talent. There’s no doubt that season 2 of theNetflixseries will continue to showcase Ortega’s ability to tap into what could be an otherwise unlikable character. The first season had some offscreen talent as well, andthe legendary filmmaker Tim Burton directed severalWednesdayseason 1 episodes.
Burton, who hasdirected several underrated moviesas well as huge hits such asBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, also lent his talent toWednesdayseason 2 and directed the first episode of the second season. Fans can’t wait to dive in, especially sinceBurton’s films are so stylish and dark.Since Burton has such a specific style, it’s fun to imagine that one of his most compelling movies could inform some of the second season.
Tim Burton’s Horror Movie Sleepy Hollow Should Inspire Wednesday Season 2
Wednesdayseason 2 should beinspired by Tim Burton’s dark and terrifying horror movieSleepy Hollow. The film was released in 1999 and starsJohnny Depp as Ichabod Crane, just one character dealing with the villain of the story, the Headless Horseman (Christopher Walken and Ray Park). Christina Ricci, who played Laurel Gates inWednesdayseason 1, also played Crane’s love interest Katrina Anne Van Tassel.
Tim Burton directed many great movies, butSleepy Hollowis particularly memorable because it’s so atmospheric. Since he is directing theWednesdayseason 2 premiere, it seems like it would be natural for the new season to reflect the bleak and grim sensibility of the movie.BothWednesdayandSleepy Hollowhave a Gothic toneandWednesdayseason 2 should elevate itself by taking some cues from the film. AlthoughWednesdayseason 1 tells the tale of the Hyde Monster, who kills some characters, it’s not a particularly violent season.Wednesdayseason 2 could definitely include more brutal kills while still looking as stylish, creepy, and old-fashioned asSleepy Hollow.
SinceJenna Ortega said there is an episode based on slashers,Sleepy Hollowmakes even more sense as a jumping-off point forWednesdayseason 2.Sleepy HollowandWednesdayhave a few things in common, most notably an eerie setting. Wednesday Addams and Ichabod Crane are also smart characters who are investigating evil. In Wednesday’s case, she is trying to find her stalker.
Wednesdayis already a well-crafted and beloved TV series because of Wednesday herself, and if the second season canshow more of Nevermore Academy and lean into some gruesome moments, it will be even better. Tim Burton praised Jenna Ortega in a 2023 interview withBFI.org.ukand said she is the heart and soul of the series. He said:
“When I didWednesday, the reason I loved it is I just related to the character so much. But to me, it could not have been done without her. you may write it good, you can do whatever you want to do, but that kind of a character would need such clarity and purity and strength. A person has to have that. So for me, she basically made the show that way.”
Based on Burton’s comments, it’s clear thatno matter how darkWednesdayseason 2 is, viewers will continue to see Wednesday’s likes, dislikes, fears, and personal relationships. Burton is right thatwithout Wednesday, the show wouldn’t be as interesting. This is also whythe new cast members can’t ever replace Wednesday, whose bravery is endlessly entertaining.
What Did Tim Burton Say About Sleepy Hollow?
SinceSleepy Hollowis one of Tim Burton’s best movies, he has talked about it in some interviews, and he shared his thoughts on the movie’s R rating in the United States in a 2000 interview withThe Guardian. He said:
“Before films, throughout the history of people there have been these stories which are quite gruesome. If you filmed any one of those literally it probably wouldn’t even get a rating so we tried very hard to keep it within the realm of fantasy, not to shy away from the graphic-ness but to keep in that realm. Kids are intelligent, some would like it, some wouldn’t, and I think people forget that.”
What Are Some Movies Tim Burton Directed?
Although all of Burton’s movies are dark, many of his stories have some light-hearted moments and optimistic, positive characters. For instance, even thoughthe characters inThe Nightmare Before Christmasare dead, they’re good-natured and not at all scary.Sleepy Hollowstands out because itleans into its stark, empty, and dark nature, which is what makes Ichabod Crane’s quest to learn more about the Headless Horseman so unsettling.
