The first of June marked our last written article for Tim Burton’s FRANKENWEENIE, when it was revealed production had surreptitiously begun in London. Well now, over two months later, we now know exactly when Burton’s wacky animated feature can be seen!
Word out of Disney today has set a release date of March 9th, 2012 for Burton’s long gestating stop-motion project, which to no one’s surprise, will be shot in 3D.
Weird thing is, the press release hasn’t Burton directing, but producing only. Strange, since it seemed all along Burton was keen on manning directorial duties. Not sure if this is a mere oversight or if something made Burton take a flier on helming this sucker. My guess is he’s happy butchering other people’s writing (ALICE IN WONDERLAND), so I’d say that damn MALEFICENT project is something he’d quicker direct. But that’s just the cold cynicism in me.
FRANKENWEENIE’S 1984 synopsis (on which the new version is based):
When young Victor’s pet dog Sparky (who stars in Victor’s home-made monster movies) is hit by a car, Victor decides to bring him back to life the only way he knows how. But when the bolt-necked “monster” wreaks havoc and terror in the hearts of Victor’s neighbors, he has to convince them (and his parents) that despite his appearance, Sparky’s still the good loyal friend he’s always been.
FRANKENWEENIE opens March 9th, 2012.