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Danny Elfman Recalls 'Batman' Score Stand-Off, 'Craziest Story Of All' With Prince And Studio

Posted 10/29/10 1:46 pm EST by in interviews, Music, News


Danny ElfmanTo say that the long (25-plus years) partnership between composer Danny Elfman and director Tim Burton has been a magical one is an understatement — especially for a film score nerd like me. From "Batman" and "Edward Scissorhands" to "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and the "Simpsons" theme, there's a good chance you've been exposed to one of their many, many collaborations.

Earlier this week, we brought you an exclusive clip from quite possibly the most epic box set I've ever seen: The Danny Elfman & Tim Burton 25th Anniversary Music Box (available now). It's a massive collection of the duo's 13 scores together, featuring more than 19 hours of music, an exclusive DVD, and a long list of rare audio, video, and collectible material.

I was lucky enough to speak with Elfman about this must-have set, how things have changed since he and Burton first teamed up, what convinced him to share so many unreleased demos and ideas, and a surprising behind-the-scenes fact about his unforgettable "Batman" score. Read More...

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Danny Elfman & Tim Burton Reflect On 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' In This Exclusive Clip!

Posted 10/26/10 5:31 pm EST by in Video


Ever since their first collaboration on 1985's "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure," director Tim Burton and composer Danny Elfman have established themselves as one of Hollywood's most perfect pairings. This holiday season, Warner Bros. Records will commemorate their prolific partnership with the release of "The Danny Elfman & Tim Burton 25th Anniversary Music Box," a massive collection of the duo's 13 scores together, featuring more than 19 hours of music, an exclusive DVD, and a long list of rare audio, video, and collectible material.

Later this week we'll feature a rare interview with Elfman discussing his work on projects like 1990's "Batman," but Warner Bros. Records has also provided Splash Page readers with an exclusive clip of Elfman and Burton reflecting on "The Nightmare Before Christmas," one of the many projects featured in the 25th Anniversary Music Box. In the clip, the award-winning composer explains why he identified so well with the film's skeletal hero.

"['Nightmare'] probably reminded me more of your days in clubs and the certain type of music you were doing," Burton told Elfman. "To me, that always seemed like the clearest thing to you in a way — something that was just inside of you for a long time." Read More...

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Down The Rabbit Hole: 'Alice In Wonderland' Meets Comic Book Movies!

Posted 3/5/10 10:41 am EST by in Lists


Alice in WonderlandIn Disney's latest interpretation of "Alice in Wonderland," moviegoers are bound to have many bizarre sights to behold from smoking Caterpillars and talking rabbits to the viciousness of the Red Queen and her army. But if the viewer looks closely enough, he or she is likely to find something else that's entirely unexpected — connections to the world of comic books.

After the jump, we've got the rundown on some connections you'll see between Alice's adventures and comic books in your upcoming trip to "Wonderland."

Read More...

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Tim Burton's Unfilmed 'Superman Lives' Movie Art Revealed In MoMA Exhibit

Posted 11/18/09 10:51 am EST by in DC Comics, Hot Stuff, News, Photos


Yesterday, we told you about our visit to the new Tim Burton exhibit at New York's Museum of Modern Art, but just in case you haven't checked out our full photo gallery yet, you might want to do so — and this means you, comics fans. Among the many pieces of awesome art from films like "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" and "Mars Attacks!" there are also a few pieces from Burton's "Batman" films and — here's the kicker — some art from Burton's never-made "Superman Lives" movie (famously set to star Nicolas Cage).

Check out this (slightly cropped) image of Brainiac from an unfilmed "Superman Lives" scene:

Superman Lives

Pretty great, right? Check out the full-size Brainiac image, as well as another piece of "Superman Lives" art in our Tim Burton MoMA photo gallery.

Let us know what you think in the comment section or on Twitter!

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Photo Gallery: Tim Burton Exhibit At The Museum Of Modern Art

Posted 11/17/09 6:11 pm EST by in Photos


Think about the career of Tim Burton for a little while, and it makes a lot of sense for his work to receive a special exhibition at New York's Museum of Modern Art. From "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" and "Batman" to "The Nightmare Before Christmas," Burton's projects have always had a certain flair — and it's that unique element of his work that's receiving the spotlight in this new exhibit.

You can get an early peek at some highlights from the Tim Burton exhibit at MoMA (including some great, behind-the-scenes art from "Batman") by clicking on the photo below:

Tim Burton at MoMA

For more on the exhibit, be sure to head over to MTV.com for our interview with Tim Burton at MoMA.

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Post-Apocalyptic Pages: The Connections Between '9' And Comic Books

Posted 9/8/09 5:43 pm EST by in Lists


9It's "9" week here on Splash Page, and while the post-apocalyptic animated adventure doesn't have too much in common with the comic book world on the surface, there are always links between the film reel and the paneled page. The Shane Acker-directed film is no exception, as several of the movie's voice actors and production crew have direct ties to comics.

Behold the following "9" actors and producers, all of whom are connected to the comic book community in some way, shape or form:

TIMUR BEKMAMBETOV: His name might be unfamiliar, but "9" producer Timur Bekmambetov's work became surprisingly popular barely a year ago. Bekmambetov is the director of "Wanted," the Angelina Jolie-starring comic book adaptation of Mark Millar and J.G. Jones' graphic novel. Read More...

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Did Marlon Brando Almost Play The Penguin In 'Batman Returns'? Not Exactly, Says Tim Burton.

Posted 9/2/09 6:23 pm EST by in DC Comics, Video


A few weeks ago, Danny DeVito shared some frank thoughts about the evolution of the "Batman" film franchise in the years since he played The Penguin in 1992's "Batman Returns." We love playing the "What If?" game, so when we had the chance to sit down with Tim Burton, the director of that film (as well as 1989's "Batman"), we had to ask him about the wide range of actors he was rumored to have considered before settling on DeVito.

Among the potential Oswald Cobblepots (according to IMDB) were John Candy, Dustin Hoffman, Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd and—our favorite "What If?" possibility—Marlon Brando. So, we had to ask Burton, was Brando ever really in the mix for the role?



"No," laughed Burton. "I also wanted Sammy Davis Jr. to play Beetlejuice, so... sometimes my ideas don't go down so well with the studios. But hey, you try."

So, there you have it. Much like we hypothesized earlier today, maybe there's an alternate universe somewhere in which Brando did bring Batman's umbrella-wielding nemesis to the big screen.

I want to see that film. Don't you?

Be sure to check out our full interview with Tim Burton on Movies.MTV.com, and let us know what you think in the comment section or on Twitter!

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Danny Devito On Christopher Nolan's Batman And Studio's 'Regress Of Progress'

Posted 8/19/09 2:01 pm EST by in DC Comics, News, Video


So far in Christopher Nolan's new "Batman" film franchise, we've seen Joker and Two-Face reinterpreted as darker, more sinister re-imaginings of their previous big-screen incarnations. But which villain will be next?

While there's been significant chatter about characters like Catwoman, Riddler and The Penguin finding their way into the next Batman movie, we thought it would be interesting to get some thoughts on the situation from Danny DeVito, the actor who brought Oswald "The Penguin" Cobblepot to life in Tim Burton's 1992 film "Batman Returns."



"I think they should do what they do best: take other people's ideas and make movies out of them," DeVito told MTV News when asked how he feels the studio should proceed with the next installment. "I wouldn't want to stand in the way of regress of progress." Read More...

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Have Questions For 'Batman' Director Tim Burton? Send 'Em Our Way!

Posted 7/28/09 4:38 pm EST by in News


Tim BurtonAmong comic book movie fans (and movie fans in general) Tim Burton doesn't really need any introduction. The director of 1989's "Batman" practically invented the "dark superhero" trend in Hollywood, and has gone on to have a creative hand in some of the most entertaining, unique films to hit the big screen.

One of those films is the upcoming post-apocalyptic ragdoll adventure "9," directed by Shane Acker and co-produced by Burton and "Wanted" and "Wanted 2" director Timur Bekmambetov. We're talking to Burton on Thursday, and we'd love to incorporate questions from Splash Page readers in our interview with the celebrated filmmaker.

[UPDATE: Thanks for sending your questions! The period for submitting questions is now over. Our interview with Burton will be posted soon!] If you have questions for Tim Burton, send them to tips@mtvmoviesblog.com before Thursday (July 30) morning. Questions about "9" are encouraged, but feel free to ask about any of his other films, too!

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Tim Burton Talks 'Batman,' Superhero Trends And 'The Dark Knight'

Posted 7/20/09 8:15 am EST by in DC Comics, News


Tim BurtonIt's been 20 years since Tim Burton's "Batman" introduced a moody Michael Keaton to movie audiences, effectively re-establishing the caped crusader as an obsessive loner after extended periods of live-action and animated campiness. While the more whimsical elements of 1992's "Batman Returns" sometimes overshadow Burton's legacy of gothic motifs, his two films' darker take on Batman and the Joker are echoed in Christopher Nolan's Bat-blockbusters.

MTV spoke with the "9" producer ahead of his appearance at this year's Comic-Con in San Diego about his time with the franchise and his take on cinematic superheroes -- namely, Nolan's acclaimed "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight."

"These [movies] are great. When I got involved with [the Batman franchise] many years ago things were ripe for a different interpretation," Burton told MTV News. "When you look at character novels and [regenerated characters], they're such strong things that they can take reinvention." Read More...

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Cover Artist

Splash Page welcomes Ed Tadem to our cover artist family (our custom-designed theme up top). Currently working on the forthcoming "Avengers" animated series, Tadem's work can also be seen in the "Jackie Karma" issues of Image's "'76," and in "Pop Gun, Volume 1." Ed Tadem can be found online at EdTadem.com.
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