Willem Dafoe reveals why he teases director Tim Burton as they finally collaborate for the first time on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The acclaimed actor also goes into detail about the realities of working on independent films and his own ideas for unconventional legacy sequels to some of his other works.
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00:00I've got to say, it's great to see you in, well, a Beetlejuice film, sure, but a Tim Burton film.
00:04Yeah, yeah. I was very happily working with him, yes.
00:08So when the role came to you, did he tell you straight up, it's going to be another Beetlejuice film,
00:12or was it kind of like, would you like to be in a film with me?
00:15You know, he just said, listen, I'm doing this thing, it's a continuation of the Beetlejuice story,
00:22and I've got this thing that I'd love you to do, and he explained it, and I said fine.
00:27I think even before I read the script, because there were just fragments at that point, I think, as far as my role.
00:35But I've followed him for years, and I really like his movies, and he's an important part of movies, if you ask me.
00:44So, you know, I tease him, I say, what took you so long, man?
00:48What did he say to that?
00:50Yeah, he gets nervous, you know. He's got his reasons, I'm sure.
00:54Well, I mean, it's a match made in heaven. Your character is so fun, and he's kind of in his own film, in a way.
01:00It is. I mean, he's kind of a sidebar on the whole main story, but it's fun, because I get to, you know,
01:07kind of make fun of actors, I get to make fun of law enforcement people, I get to make fun of...
01:13Well, I'm struck, when I think about it, I think the best joke is that the guy dies, but it really doesn't change him at all.
01:21You know, it's just another version of his life, so...
01:24So ignorance is bliss, even in death?
01:26Yeah.
01:27Yeah, it's great.
01:28Narcissism.
01:29Oh, narcissism is bliss. When you're kind of on set, and you see, you know, these actors playing these characters that...
01:37I'm asking myself, what the hell am I doing here?
01:40Must be some weird fever dream.
01:42And then that's the question I answer, by trying to be there, you know.
01:44Yeah.
01:45Trying to fold in with the world. It's a very complete world. It's really fun. You know, I can only say kind of sweet things,
01:55because it was fun, and Tim is very particular, because he's very energetic, and he's one of those directors that does everything.
02:03And he's working with people that he's collaborated with before, and in this case, working with many people that were in the original cast.
02:12So it was kind of a sweet thing to take part in.
02:15It must be nice for you, as well. You know, you're very hard-working, actually, in a lot of films, and there must be a lot of unknowns sometimes.
02:21So with this, it's kind of stress-free, in a sense?
02:24A little bit. I mean, it was... You know, you're trying to find out, you know, how best to serve the film,
02:30because it is like a part of the ensemble, and you're trying to see how you...
02:34You're just trying to find the tone and the style, and try to contribute something that's fun.
02:40And you know that when you're going into it. It's not a heavy lift, in the sense that you're not carrying the movie.
02:47And so the main thing is to find the tone, and have the fun, and try to make Tim laugh, and invent a few things,
02:55and not have it be flat, you know, have something be specific about it.
03:00But you're helped a lot by a beautiful costume, and the sets are incredible, and then I have this makeup that is very specific.
03:09I recognise this post-servicing attitude for my life, or after life.
03:18Something I'd like to ask actors such as yourselves, who, you know, you've been in so many films, right?
03:23An illustrious actor. Over the years, there are certain films that land, and there are certain films that are great,
03:30but they just don't reach the audience for whatever reason.
03:32It happens all the time, yeah.
03:33Is there anything, kind of, from your career that you look back at, and you think,
03:36I would pluck that out as a film that should be on a pedestal, I really wish more people had eyes on?
03:41There's many.
03:42There's many?
03:43No, there's many, in the respect that I've done a lot of independent movies,
03:47and sometimes they just don't get a leg up, you know, they just, because there's not a big commitment of money,
03:55it's an independent film, so if they don't find their way immediately,
03:59nobody's trying to figure out a way to get it out there, because there's not a big investment, you know?
04:06Or, they can be a beautiful film, but they may not be the easiest film,
04:10because they're very specific, or they're very personal, or aesthetically they're kind of radical,
04:19and people aren't used to it, so, you know, the general public, you know, goes to movies to kind of escape,
04:27where some of the best movies are movies that really challenge you and make you work a little bit and think about your life.
04:34So, you know, that's kind of counter the impulse to escape.
04:39But listen, movies can do all kinds of things, and I'm always struck by sometimes there's a beautiful movie that doesn't do very well,
04:47and there's terrible movies that do very well, so it's all about timing, and it's always a roll of the dice,
04:54and that's why you just have to be responsible for what you can be responsible for.
04:59Be there, do it, believe in it, support people, you know, find a way and make it the best you can.
05:08And then, of course, it comes out of your hands and becomes something else, being, you know, editors in the director's medium in the end.
05:16So, you've got to let it go, so not be too obsessed with the outcome.
05:23Be obsessed with, you know, being there and making something special for you, you know, making it specific.
05:30And I guess that's all you can do.
05:32Yeah.
05:33Because if you fret too much about whether it's going to be a success or not,
05:37then I think you start to pull back and don't entertain certain impulses.
05:42Exactly.
05:43I mean, I think that's pretty clear.
05:44Yeah. One final question before we wrap up.
05:46This being, you know, a legacy sequel, essentially.
05:49Yes.
05:50One that I was very happy to see.
05:51Good.
05:52Out of films of yours in the past, do you think there's anything ripe for a legacy sequel?
05:57I'm putting you on the spot here.
05:59I'm not in the business of legacy sequels.
06:02And also, you need the movie to be a big success.
06:05Yeah.
06:06How about Last Temptation 2?
06:08Perfect.
06:09Antichrist 2.
06:11I'm trying to think of some good ones.
06:14Siberia 2.
06:16I have.
06:17I've watched that.
06:18Togo goes to Hollywood.
06:20I don't know.
06:22I'm up for Last Temptation, all right?
06:24If you see Marty, you've got to tell him.
06:25That's the one.