Movies

Tim Burton's 'Frankenweenie' Details Revealed

By Peter Sciretta

Walt Disney Pictures have released the official plot synopsis for Tim Burton's big screen adaptation of his earlier short film Frankenweenie.

In Tim Burton's "Frankenweenie" young Victor conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous, consequences. A stop-motion animated film, "Frankenweenie" will be filmed in black and white and rendered in 3D, which will elevate the classic style to a whole new experience. From creative genius Tim Burton ("Alice in Wonderland," The Nightmare Before Christmas") comes "Frankenweenie," a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor's fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new "leash on life" can be monstrous.

They have also released a set of facts about the production. For example, over 200 puppets and sets were created for the film. Read the complete one-pager after the jump.

FRANKENWEENIE

WALT DISNEY PICTURES

Genre: Comedy adventureRating: TBDU.S. Release date: October 5, 2012Voice Cast: Winona Ryder, Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan, Atticus ShafferDirector: Tim BurtonProducers: Tim Burton, Allison AbbateExecutive Producer: Don HahnScreenplay by: John AugustBased on an original idea by: Tim Burton

From creative genius Tim Burton ("Alice in Wonderland," The Nightmare Before Christmas") comes "Frankenweenie," a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor's fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new "leash on life" can be monstrous.

A stop-motion animated film, "Frankenweenie" will be filmed in black and white and rendered in 3D, which will elevate the classic style to a whole new experience.

In Tim Burton's "Frankenweenie" young Victor conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous, consequences.

NOTES:

  • · When Tim Burton originally conceived the idea for "Frankenweenie," he envisioned it as a full-length, stop-motion animated film. Due to budget constraints, he instead directed it as a live-action short, released in 1984.
  • · "Frankenweenie" follows in the footsteps of Tim Burton's other stop-motion animated films "Corpse Bride" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas"—both of which were nominated for Academy Awards®.
  • · Over 200 puppets and sets were created for the film.
  • · The voice cast includes four actors who worked with Burton on previous films: Winona Ryder ("Beetlejuice," "Edward Scissorhands"), Catherine O'Hara ("Beetlejuice," "The Nightmare Before Christmas"), Martin Short ("Mars Attacks!") and Martin Landau ("Ed Wood," Sleepy Hollow").
  • · Several of the character names—Victor, Elsa Van Helsing, Edgar "E" Gore and Mr. Burgermeister— were inspired by classic horror films.
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