Tim Burton Responds to Diversity Criticism as Beetlejuice Sequel Faces Backlash

Director Tim Burton is once again facing scrutiny for a lack of diversity in his films after a scene in the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice sequel was branded “racist” by some viewers on TikTok.

The controversial moment features a “Soul Train”-style sequence involving Black actors, which some say felt “disjointed” and “shoehorned” into the story. Others questioned why Black talent was mainly featured in just that segment, with one TikToker saying it felt like Burton was saying, “Here, damn!”

While many defended the scene as a joyful nod to Black culture, others saw it as tone-deaf—especially considering Burton’s long history of criticism over representation. The director has rarely cast Black actors in major roles. The first prominent one was Samuel L. Jackson in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016).

In the past, screenwriter Caroline Thompson expressed discomfort with the character “Oogie Boogie” in The Nightmare Before Christmas, which she felt referenced racist stereotypes. Burton reportedly resisted changing the character.

Burton once addressed the diversity question in a 2016 interview, saying:

“Things either call for things, or they don’t… I used to get more offended by forced diversity than seeing authentic representation, like in blaxploitation films.”

Recent criticism also pointed to Wednesday, where some felt Black characters were unfairly portrayed as antagonists. Yet others noted the show also highlighted a confident, non-Eurocentric Black female character.

As debate continues, fans remain divided—some accusing Burton of missing the mark, others praising the sequel for including Black culture, even if imperfectly.