Michael Keaton, the iconic actor known for his collaborations with director Tim Burton, recently revealed his regret over his performance in the 2019 live-action adaptation of ‘Dumbo.’ In an interview with The New York Times, Keaton, who has a long-standing friendship and creative partnership with Burton, confessed his feelings about the film, stating, “I love working with Tim, but I don’t think we ever really dissected why some things work and others don’t. This is just me thinking, but I think I let him down on that one. It’s still a bit of a sore spot. I didn’t get a handle on the role in ‘Dumbo’. It didn’t work.”
When asked about Keaton’s confession, Burton responded with a characteristically lighthearted, “I don’t know what he’s talking about, but it’s all good.” However, he also admitted that the lackluster performance of ‘Dumbo’ caused him to question his career path. “To be honest, after ‘Dumbo,’ I was in a dark place. I thought about retiring, I even considered going back to being an animator… it’s all in the past now.” Burton revealed that this experience ultimately led to the creation of their latest project, ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.’
Reflecting on the pressure of Hollywood, Burton said, “You get caught up in the budget, the responsibility of everything, and you lose sight of yourself. This made me realize the importance of doing what you want to do, because ultimately, that’s what benefits everyone.”
The 2019 release of ‘Dumbo’ featured an impressive ensemble cast including Colin Farrell, Danny DeVito, Eva Green, Nico Parker, Finley Hobbins, and Alan Arkin. Despite the star-studded lineup, the film received mixed reviews from critics and ultimately fell short of expectations at the box office, grossing only $350 million worldwide, a disappointing result for a Disney blockbuster. Keaton’s honest reflection on his ‘Dumbo’ experience and Burton’s subsequent introspection offer a glimpse into the pressures and challenges faced by even the most successful individuals in the world of filmmaking.
