Tim Burton’s latest docuseries is set to make a grand debut at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. The highly anticipated series, currently titled “Untitled Tim Burton Docuseries,” will premiere its first part on Monday evening. Directed by Tara Wood, the four-part documentary delves into the themes and relationships that have shaped Burton’s illustrious career.
The official Tribeca logline describes the series as a journey into Burton’s dream world, exploring the dichotomy of dark versus light and the magic of collaboration with fellow “outsiders” like Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, and Helena Bonham Carter. The docuseries promises to offer a deep dive into the creative mind of one of Hollywood’s most unique directors.
Tara Wood, the director, will participate in a conversation about the docuseries following the screening. The project features a star-studded lineup, including Johnny Depp, Michael Keaton, and Jenna Ortega, among others. Burton’s frequent collaborators, such as Danny DeVito, Christoph Waltz, and Mia Wasikowska, also make appearances. Additionally, Danny Elfman, Burton’s go-to composer, and Derek Frey, a producer on several of Burton’s films, are featured in the series.
Derek Frey expressed his excitement about the project in a post on X, stating, “I’m honored and excited to be part of this long-overdue definitive docuseries on Tim Burton’s amazing career. I can’t wait for everyone to experience the wonderful labor of love director Tara Wood has created.”
The docuseries first garnered attention at the Cannes Film Festival last month. According to Deadline, the series will include never-before-seen footage, offering fans a rare glimpse into Burton’s creative process. In a press release, Tara Wood shared her experience working on the project, saying, “In the making of this doc, Tim’s creative family, a gaggle of creative genius, met me with open hearts and enthusiasm to share their profound insights into Tim’s unique, magical world. And it has been a truly inspiring, joyous, and life-changing experience. Whatever you do or where you come from, Tim’s story will inspire you.”
Johnny Depp, who has had a long-standing professional relationship with Burton, paid tribute to the director in a statement about the docuseries. “The most important filmmaker who changed my life completely is Tim. In the very beginning, he’s the guy that fought for me,” Depp said. The actor first worked with Burton on “Edward Scissorhands” and has since collaborated with him on several other projects, including “Ed Wood,” “Sleepy Hollow,” and “Alice in Wonderland.”
The docuseries arrives at a time when Burton is also working on other high-profile projects. His long-awaited sequel, “Beetlejuice 2,” is set to debut in theaters on September 6. The film reunites Burton with Michael Keaton, who starred in the original 1988 film. Keaton has previously worked with Burton on “Batman,” “Batman Returns,” and “Dumbo.”
Burton is also busy with the second season of the Netflix blockbuster series “Wednesday,” which has garnered significant attention and praise. However, there is no word yet on the release date for the “Untitled Tim Burton Docuseries.”
The Tribeca Film Festival, which runs from June 5 to 16, is known for its star-studded lineup and diverse range of programming. This year’s festival includes the world premiere of David E. Kelley’s legal thriller “Presumed Innocent,” starring Jake Gyllenhaal, as well as several other high-profile projects.
In the NOW section, which highlights independent episodic work, the Tim Burton docuseries stands out as a significant addition. Other notable projects in this section include “Yanqui,” directed by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, and “Juice,” Mawaan Rizwan’s BAFTA TV-nominated series.
Tribeca senior programmer Liza Domnitz expressed her excitement about this year’s lineup, stating, “The episodic realm is rich in phenomenal storytelling, and Tribeca’s 2024 TV and NOW program delivers the very best of narrative and documentary series. Audiences can look forward to diving into the testimonies of brilliant visionaries like Serena Williams, Melissa Etheridge, and the original subjects of the Stanford Prison Experiment, all of whom will be joining us at the Festival to present their stories.”
The Tribeca Festival is curated by a team of experienced programmers, including festival director and SVP of programming Cara Cusumano, artistic director Frédéric Boyer, and senior programmers Liza Domnitz, Faridah Gbadamosi, Jarod Neece, and José F. Rodriguez.
As the festival kicks off, all eyes will be on the premiere of the “Untitled Tim Burton Docuseries,” which promises to offer a captivating look into the mind of one of Hollywood’s most visionary directors. Fans and critics alike are eagerly awaiting the chance to explore the themes and relationships that have defined Burton’s career, making this docuseries a must-watch event at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.
