Jenna Ortega reflects on not being cast in Tim Burton’s live-action remake ofDumbo. The 2019 film was made in the wake ofCinderella,The Jungle Book,Beauty and the Beast, and otheranimated Disney films being remadein a live-action format. Despite featuring Burton’s direction and an impressive cast that included Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, and Danny DeVito,Dumbowas generally not well-received, resulting in a rotten 46% critical score and 48% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
In aGQvideo with herBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceco-star, Keaton,Ortega looks back at how disappointed she was to not be able to work with Burton when she auditioned forDumbo.
Ortega recalls that"l remember Dumbo being one that for weeks, I was just gutted, and I thought, ‘Oh, what if I never get the opportunity to work with him again?'“Despite this disappointment, she has now collaborated with Burton more than once, first as the titular lead of the hit Netflix seriesWednesday, and later as Lydia Deetz’s daughter Astrid in thelegacy sequelBeetlejuice Beetlejuice.
Not Being Cast In Dumbo Was Best For Jenna Ortega’s Career
It Made Her First Collaboration With Burton Better For Both Of Them
If Ortega had been cast inDumbo, her first collaboration with the director would have been in an ultimately disappointing project, with Burton even admitting thatDumbofelt like a creative low point in his career.Instead, the actor and director first worked together onWednesday, a creatively rewarding projectthat became one of Netflix’s most-watched original series. WithBeetlejuice Beetlejuiceconsidered Burton’s best moviein years, Ortega’s work with him continues to be strong.
Dumbo’s disappointment would not necessarily have prevented this partnership from happening, with Burton still reuniting with Keaton forBeetlejuice Beetlejuice.Nevertheless, Burton would have started his collaborations with Ortega on a far different and less satisfying note. Between Keaton reprising a character from 1988, and Farrell receiving an Academy Award nomination forThe Banshees of Inisherinand leading his own streaming series asThe Batman’s Penguin, the careers ofDumbo’s cast have not suffered in the years since the film’s release.
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Michael Keaton’s brilliant rule for reprising his title role in 2024’s Beetlejuice 2 also highlights where his last movie with Tim Burton went wrong.
Ortega’s career likely would not have suffered either had she been in the cast of the live-action remake, but not being inDumbostill worked out for the best.She has now starred in two of Burton’s best projects in yearsand has become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Ortega has been at the forefront of popular streaming series, blockbuster hits, andcritically acclaimed films likeThe Fallout, proving her ability to excel in a wide range of stories.
Dumbo
Cast
Dumbo, directed by Tim Burton, is a live-action adaptation of Disney’s classic 1941 animated film. The story centers on a young elephant with oversized ears that enable him to fly, captivating audiences and saving a struggling circus. Starring Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, and Eva Green, the film delves into themes of family and personal growth while showcasing Burton’s signature visual style.
