BurtonVerse Theory

Abbreviations used are as follows:

Fw84 = Frankenweenie (1984)

PwBA = Pee-wee's Big Adventure

ES = Edward Scissorhands

BR = Batman Returns

TNBC = The Nightmare Before Christmas

EW = Ed Wood

MA! = Mars Attacks!

SH = Sleepy Hollow

POTA = Planet of the Apes

BF = Big Fish

CATCF = Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

CB = Corpse Bride

ST = Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

AIW = Alice in Wonderland

DS = Dark Shadows

Fw12 = Frankenweenie (2012)

BE = Big Eyes

MP = Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Nearly all of the films of Tim Burton are truly standalone. To date, he has directed only one sequel, Batman Returns (to 1989's Batman), released in 1992, though a sequel to 1988's Beetlejuice has wrapped filming. He has produced two others: Batman Forever, a loose sequel at best to his two Batman films (a concept I plan to explore in a future post), and 2016's Alice Through the Looking Glass to his own Alice in Wonderland (2010). However, his style is distinctive to the point that one begins to wonder how interconnected could his films be? I know others have endeavored to formulate theories of a shared universe, but I am not satisfied with the findings. Particularly, the one that involves solely his stop-motion films has timeline issues such that the theory's points seemingly only consider visuals, eclipsing the logic. So, just for fun and not to replace the films' actual disconnected intents, I have started from scratch and formulated my own theories. Disclaimer: I am not commenting on my own personal opinion of these films' level of enjoyment; this is purely what you see is what you get.

Trigger warning: Tim Burton's humor is very dark at times. Considering this and when it was made, Beetlejuice contains an irreverent joke and visual gags about suicide, if you are not familiar with it. As it actually has some bearing on world-building, I discuss it below as necessary and equally as flippant. But, hey; humor is how some of us cope. 

[If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or by chatting online at 988lifeline.org. These services are free, confidential, and available 24/7. Stay alive.]

The BurtonVerse is a mix of fictionalized real-world locations, events, other items of interest and individuals with fully fabricated ones. I am going to share my integrated findings, which range from significant to incidental, but as they say, "The devil is in the details." As explanations are necessary, I will try to keep them brief as possible. I begin with broader concepts, move to how earthly individuals are connected (the majority of points), and end with some counterpoints to arguments against a shared BurtonVerse.

1. Locations: Some locations are not of Earth but analogous to it. The planet Ashlar (POTA) is located in the same galaxy but there are others that are other dimensions. These include Underland AKA Wonderland (AIW), a fantastical reflection of Earth; towns such as Halloween Town and Christmas Town (TNBC) that are filled with traditional imagery of its namesake's earthly holiday, doors to which are in trees located in a forest, the Hinterlands (in English, "hinder lands"), a dimension of its own; and the Land of the Dead (CB) AKA afterlife (Beetlejuice), which changed sometime between the Victorian era and late twentieth century. I theorize the transition occurred for two related reasons: 1) The Land of the Dead reflects the Land of the Living, observable in both Corpse Bride and Beetlejuice. Earthly corruption over time commensurately affected the Land of the Dead, causing it to also become more and more bureaucratic. 2) The Land of the Dead also serves partially as a place for those with unfinished business on Earth, such as Emily (CB). The number of individuals who would pass on after completing their business decreased, resulting in overpopulation and the need for a different approach. Related to the Land of the Dead, Saturn is limbo for ghosts where, unlike every other place in the BurtonVerse, time passes at a different rate.
   
2. Unique Individuals: 
1. Earth: Unique individuals that reside on Earth include at least six witches with varying powers: Lady Crane, Lady Mary Van Tassel (née Archer), The Crone, and Katrina (all SH), Angelique Bouchard (DS), and the unnamed Witch of Ashland, Alabama (BF); three vampires: Barnabas Collins, Victoria Winters and Dr. Julia Huffman (DS); at least two werewolves: Carolyn Stoddard (DS) and Amos Calloway (BF), and likely an unidentified third one that bit and changed Carolyn; and two additional individuals displaying other animal-like qualities: Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin and Selina Kyle/Catwoman (both BR). To note, vampirism and lycanthropy are both communicable via bite, as was Catwoman's abilities. There are at least two scientists whose experiments successfully manipulate life: Victor Frankenstein (Fw12) and The Inventor (ES), the latter of which created Edward, an artificial humanoid. There are two identified factions also with varying powers: Peculiars and Hollowgasts, rogue Peculiars who lost physical form in an attempt to gain immortality (MP). (Hollowgasts, or Hollows, can regain a human-like form by eating Peculiars' eyeballs and are then known as Wights.) Genetic inheritance, via recessive genes, is the determining factor whether a powered individual is a Peculiar, not to say all are identified as such or choose to live amongst other Peculiars. 
2. The Land of the Dead is populated by deceased Earth residents, some of which have unfinished business on Earth. Depending on the era, there are two types of manifestations of the dead that are shown to return to or remain on Earth: physical undead corpses, such as the Headless Hessian Horseman (SH) and Emily (CB), and ghosts such as Large Marge (PwBA) and Betelgeuse (Beetlejuice). Earthly projection is a technique that can be honed by ghosts, the strength of which seems to determine who can see them, as (emphasis mine) "The living won't see the dead." A highly skilled ghost such as Betelgeuse can project different forms, control objects in the Land of the Living, and forcefully transport other ghosts. Victoria Winters (DS) mentions scientific evidence for ghosts and another plane of existence before being cut off.
3. Not of Earth: Martians (MA!) aside, Ashlar (POTA), Underland (AIW), Halloween Town and the other holiday towns (TNBC) are populated by alternate versions of Earth residents. Another way to word this is human genetics of Earth manifest differently. For example, the heredity of Otho (Beetlejuice) exhibits as the humanoid, two-faced Mayor of Halloween Town (TNBC) and as Senator Nado, a highly-evolved orangutan on Ashlar (POTA), all played by the late Glenn Shadix, or that of Judge Turpin (ST) as Absolem the Blue Caterpillar of Underland (AIW), both played by the late Alan Rickman. Life also varies as much as the locations themselves. Ashlar's humans are no less intelligent, but are inferior to the planet's dominant apes. Underland's residents include both humans with traits impossible on Earth and anthropomorphic animals. Halloween Town, Christmas Town, and presumably the other holiday towns' residents fit the aesthetic: vampires, witches, etc., in Halloween Town and Santa "Sandy Claws" Claus and elves in Christmas Town.
3. Powers: A large number of abilities are shown to exist among certain individuals, but the focus will be on those that are not unique to one individual. It should be noted proficiency is to varying degrees.
1. Aerokinetic: Lady Crane (SH), Angelique Bouchard, Barnabas Colllins (both DS) and Emma Bloom (MP) have this power. All aside from Emma can levitate themselves, but she can manipulate air as a peculiar ability. She is lighter than air and requires lead shoes or a tether to not float away. Dumbo is also aerokinetic. (Peculiar animals exist in the Miss Peregrine book series.) His flying ability is excepting normal physics, especially when gliding. He involuntarily levitates the first time and the ability is wholly linked to his belief to do so. His ears indicate his peculiarity and do help in flight somewhat including steering.
   
2. Longevity: Angelique Bouchard, Barnabas Collins (both DS), Edward (ES), The Witch of Ashland (BF), Alma Peregrine (MP) and Selina Kyle (BR) have longevity and some likely immortal. Angelique had not aged externally in some two hundred years, but fractures like porcelain due to aging on the inside. Barnabas was buried for 196 years after Angelique's vampiric curse and consuming blood preserves his physical integrity. Edward, unique as an invented humanoid, maintains his exact appearance an estimated sixty years later after Kim is a grandmother. He does not require consuming food or drink, though capable of doing so, and may be both immortal and physically invulnerable. The Witch of Ashland is admittedly theory; the short version is she is twins with Emily (CB) and pursued the secrets of immortality after her sister mysteriously passed away. (The entry on Helena Bonham Carter below contains more detail.) Miss Peregrine is an Ymbryne, a specialized Peculiar who is always female, can change into a particular bird, and can manipulate time. This latter is typically in the form of a loop, a day on repeat where Peculiars hide from Hollows and Wights. (Side note: Manipulating time was the cause of envy that led the rogue Peculiars to their attempt at immortality.) Miss Peregrine set the start and end points of her loop and must reset it each day. Its defined sphere of influence includes the children, who do not age physically either and retain memories from each repeat of the day, since they are aware of the looping. Selina Kyle/Catwoman literally has nine lives, as the myth about cats states.
   
3. Enhanced Strength: Angelique Bouchard, Barnabas Collins (both DS), Bronwyn, her deceased brother, Victor (both MP), and Karl the Giant (BF) all have strength beyond that of a normal human. What makes Bronwyn and Victor peculiar is they are otherwise typical children, not witches, vampires or giants.
4. Prophecy: Horace (MP) and The Witch of Ashland (BF) both have the gift of prophecy. Horace has prophetic dreams which are not always obvious to interpret. He can then project them through a monocle for others to see. The Witch can specifically show a person their death through her glass eye.
5. Reanimation/Life to the Inanimate: Enoch (MP), Victor Frankenstein (Fw12) and The Inventor (ES) all accomplished reanimating the dead and/or giving life to the inanimate. Enoch uses a heart to bring this about and can do both, but the effect is temporary. Victor only reanimated his dog Sparky, but the method is scientific with electricity from lightning as the primary catalyst. He and others replicated his results. Sparky's lifespan afterward is unknown, but does require recharging regularly. The Inventor used unknown artificial materials to fashion Edward, whose lifespan is also unknown.
6. Powers of (some of) the Dead: There are abilities that certain deceased individuals have. Some of these have an earthly analog. For example, besides those already mentioned, ghosts are "naturally" invisible, which is the peculiarity of Millard (MP). Dialogue with arthropods occurs in the Land of the Dead, as Emily (CB) is friends with Maggot and Black Widow Spider. Hugh (MP) can speak solely to bees, but can also command them and they inhabit his stomach.
   
4. Technology: There is a visual similarity to many BurtonVerse contraptions of varying functionality, from Edward Bloom's machine to develop his muscles during his growth spurts (BF) to The Inventor's cookie maker (ES) to Willy Wonka's factory (CATCF), meaning there is a widespread preference for this aesthetic over mere purpose. Martian technology, more advanced than Earth's, was used for research and development after their defeat, which led to the development of the Oberon and its pods (POTA). This is seen in the similarity of the legs' deployment.
5. Travel to and from Earth and the Solar System: The Martian saucers simply travel to Earth (MA!), but a portal of sorts is required for interdimensional or long distance space travel. Nivens McTwisp, the White Rabbit, and Alice Kingsleigh (AIW) travel to Underland via a rabbit hole beneath a tree, the Headless Hessian (SH) manifests from beneath the Tree of the Dead (Ichabod Crane observes the tree is a gateway between two worlds), the point of arrival from the Land of the Dead for Emily (CB) is the barren oak tree under which she died and vowed revenge, and in the Hinterlands (TNBC), each of the holiday doors is in a tree. The dead have at least one other means of travel to Earth for quick trips, the Ukrainian haunting spell known by Elder Gutenknecht (CB). Available to ghosts of the recently deceased, a drawn door becomes a portal to the afterlife (Beetlejuice). The kings of the Holiday Towns are able to travel freely between Earth and his town, along with others of his choosing (TNBC). The electromagnetic storm, which is from Saturn (ghost limbo in Beetlejuice), contains a mix of frequencies and is a portal of time and location for the Oberon and its pods (POTA). Regardless, when Captain Davidson travels back through, he arrives on an alternate version of Earth, as the portal is not between only two points, reflecting the unpredictable nature of Saturn.
6. Rules of the Dead: As stated prior under the entry on Unique Individuals, the dead appear in two different forms, physical undead corpses and ghosts. The undead corpses are not zombies in the usual sense, retaining intelligence and personality of themselves in life. They are the Headless Hessian Horseman (SH), Emily and her friends (CB). They can be seen by all. Ghosts, on the other hand, are usually invisible to all but a select few. These include Josette DuPres, David Collins' mother (both DS), Large Marge (PwBA), Betelgeuse, Adam Maitland, and his wife, Barbara (all Beetljuice). There are certain rules so the dead are not running around all amok.
1. Before the Rules: The original intent was a more or less complete separation of the living and the dead. Thinking of the barrier as a fabric, occasional trips passing through as deemed necessary were allowable via the Ukrainian haunting spell known to Elder Gutenknect and a few others, members of a theoretical council of elders. This typically does not happen en masse. Lady Van Tassel (SH), likely unknowingly, tore the first hole in this "fabric" and weakened the integrity of the whole. Her desire for vengeance led her to make an unholy pledge to Satan and gained control over the Headless Hessian Horseman by possessing his severed skull, temporarily creating the doorway at the Tree of the Dead. Once returned, his head restores like the rest of his undead corpse, and is the agent of Lady Van Tassel's payment for her end of her deal with the devil.
   
2. Return of the Living Dead? Most of the time, the pathway maintains its sole direction of the the living passing away and entering the Land of the Dead. But in the rare case the dead enter the Land of the Living, rules have been established by the time Emily meets Victor. Purer than most, as a murder victim, her vow allows her to bring Victor to the Land of the Dead including chasing him down. No one is surprised to see a "breather" as the dead are fully aware of Emily's vow. Fast forward to what I call the "Wedding of the Dead," three things become apparent: 1) The special occasion has the whole dead town "upstairs" in attendance, presumably using the Ukrainian haunting spell. They take advantage and reconnect with living loved ones. 2) The dead cannot attack the living as they "must abide by their rules." 3) If suicide had any repercussions at this time, as it did by the late twentieth century (the entry on Michael Keaton below contains more detail), these are avoided by either the purpose or virtue of the ceremony, or both.
   
3. Handbook for the Recently Deceased: As discussed in the entry on Locations above, by the late twentieth century, ghosts are the typical manifestation of the dead to prevent overcrowding the Land of the Dead, now a place of more bureaucratic matters. Afterlife is a broader, more common term that includes those remaining on Earth. The handbook states, "Functional parameters vary from manifestation to manifestation." While there is some fluctuation in the restrictions, the design is to prevent the free roaming of the dead. Because the living may occupy the same physical space as the dead, the handbook informs the recently deceased, "The living won't see the dead," and "Live people ignore the strange and unusual." Instead of a physical place, Josette DuPres' ghostly confinement is to the vicinity of Maggie Evans aka Victoria Winters, though there may be more to Josette's connection to Maggie/Victoria. David Collins' mother appears to him and is restricted to Collinwood. The functional parameters of Large Marge are the highway of her accident and the anniversary of her death. I theorize this is to the minute, and she appears to and picks up a single hitchhiker each year. Pee-wee is the first to ask to be dropped off at the Wheel Inn, a place Marge has connection. Adam & Barbara Maitland are restricted to their Winter River, Connecticut, home, a place they once hoped to raise children, but have poured themselves into improving instead. Miss Argentina tells them their confinement will last 125 years. Finally, great care must be taken to not be exorcised; it is "death for the dead" and turns a ghost into a lost soul. The handbook does contain a chant to summon the dead with a personal item to them, such as the Maitlands' wedding clothes, but is in fact an exorcism. As long as the ritual is not completed, they will revert to ghostly form.
   
4. Rules Are Made to be Broken: Now, we come to the "ghost with the most," Betelgeuse. Again, more detail is contained in the entry on Michael Keaton, but Betelgeuse left civil service against the design of things and is trapped in the Land of the Dead unless he can trick someone into saying his name three times in a row without having to tell it to the individual. This can also return him from the Land of the Living back. There is also the "Wedding of Life" (my term) which can bring the deceased back to the Land of the Living permanently by marrying a living person.
   
7. The late Michael Gough: Elder Gutenknecht (CB) was part of the Germanic invasion of England around the fifth century and died of a head injury in battle. His descendants include Notary James Hardenbrook (SH) and Alfred Pennyworth (Batman, BR).
   
8. The bloodlines of unknown common ancestors of characters portrayed by Johnny Depp, the late Albert Finney, the late Martin Landau, the late Sir Christopher Lee, Lisa Marie, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Paul Whitehouse are connected, though not altogether. Aside from mere distant relations (which applies to all of Landau's roles), the notable effects are:
1. Whitehouse: William Van Dort and Mayhew are cousins-german (CB). This is why Mayhew works for the Van Dorts and Nell frequently speaks to him rudely. Paul the head waiter shares an unknown common ancestor with William and Mayhew. (Side note: Paul was a noble beheaded during the French Revolution, and is in a place of servitude in the Land of the Dead.)
   
2. Depp & Marie: Vampira (EW) is a direct descendant of Ichabod Crane and Katrina Van Tassel through a bio-child born after they moved to New York City (SH). The Martian Girl disguise (MA!) is based on Vampira's appearance with a 1960's bouffant hairstyle.
3. Depp, Finney & Lee: Edward Bloom (BF) and Dr. Wilbur Wonka (CATCF) are likely distantly related, but both descended from Victor Van Dort and Victoria (née) Everglot (CB). Wonka is a Norwegian name, Van Dort and Everglot are both Dutch, all linked by Germanic origin.
4. Depp & Pfeiffer: Elizabeth Stoddard Collins (DS) is known to be a direct descendant of Barnabas Collins, but so is Selina Kyle/Catwoman (BR).
9. Helena Bonham Carter:  
1. Emily, the Corpse Bride, and The Witch of Ashland, Alabama (BF), are twin sisters. After the sudden and mysterious death of Emily, the unnamed witch became obsessed with death and mortality. Her pursuits eventually led her to the swamps of Louisiana and she obtained a secret to longevity, similar to Angelique Bouchard (DS). She settled in Ashton since its small size reminded her of her home village in England. 
2. Dr. Julia Huffman (DS) and Jennifer "Jenny" Hill (BF) are cousins-german. They are close in age, and Dr. Huffman's proclivity for discontentment led her away from Spectre, Alabama, eventually arriving at Collinsport, Maine, and her plot for immortality.
10. Michael Keaton: V.A. Vandevere (Dumbo) and Bruce Wayne (Batman, BR) are both wealthy, a proficiency inherited from an unknown common ancestor. However, Vandevere is shown to be less than scrupulous. Facing bankruptcy and legal troubles, he committed suicide in the aftermath of the Dreamland disaster. Betelgeuse (Beetlejuice), as a human on Earth, was the great-grandson of Vandevere. The family never recovered their wealth, but some individuals remained driven to do so. Given this fact and family history of mental illness, this great-grandson also committed suicide. Otho states, mostly jokingly, "You know what they say about people who commit suicide. They become civil servants in the afterlife." However, this had been visually confirmed earlier in the film when the Maitlands visit Juno, their afterlife counselor, who also states Betelgeuse was her former assistant before becoming a "freelance bio-exorcist." True to his charlatan "persona," he lies about certain aspects of his life, including living through the black plague.
    
11. Danny DeVito & the late Paul Reubens: Tucker Cobblepot fathered Oswald (BR), indicating Max Medici (Dumbo), Amos Calloway (BF), Pee-Wee Herman (PwBA), and the lawyer credited as Rude Gambler (MA!) are linked by a union of unknown common ancestors. This is logical considering all favor a bit of the theatrics. Medici and Calloway both own circuses, and Oswald/Penguin was once part of one and leads a group of former performers. Pee-Wee and the lawyer each have a dramatic air. 
12. Eva Green: Since Alma Peregrine (MP) and Angelique Bouchard (DS) are both powerful individuals, this capacity for unique talents is inherited from an unknown common ancestor. Colette Marchant (Dumbo) is a highly skilled trapeze artist. This is a result of this same potential, though it does not manifest as obviously.
13. Winona Ryder: Lydia Deetz's unnamed biological mother (Beetlejuice); Kim Boggs' mother, Pam (ES); and Elsa Van Helsing (Fw12) are cousins-german. The three are close in age and all located in the eastern United States.
14. Catherine O'Hara: Delia Deetz (Beetlejuice) and the unnamed Weird Girl of New Holland, Pennsylvania (Fw12), are also cousins-german. Both are close in age and located in the eastern United States. Despite her own social quirks, Delia held some animosity towards her cousin, an attitude she carried into adulthood and displayed to her step-daughter, Lydia, when the Deetzes first moved to Winter River, Connecticut.
15. Deep Roy: All Oompa-Loompas (CATCF) are indistinguishable to the human eye. So,
    
1. General Bonesapart (CB) is a deceased Oompa-Loompa who either left Loompaland or descended from one who did. His earthly name is unknown, but changed it in honor of Napoleon Bonaparte after dying by sword in the latter's service. 
2. Mr. Soggybottom (BF) is also an Oompa-Loompa who left Loompaland. He found success as attorney and confidant to Amos Calloway and as a clown in the Calloway Circus. 
3. Oompa-Loompas are a musically inclined people. The individual known in the Land of the Dead as Bonejangles (CB) studied music under them.
16. The late Carmen Filpi: Hobo Jack (PwBA) is later met by the Maitlands working as a messenger in civil service (Beetlejuice) in the afterlife. This means he committed suicide by letting a vehicle run over him after he and Pee-wee met.
17. The late Simmy Bow: Similarly, the man in the diner Pee-wee stops at (PwBA) is later encountered by the Maitlands as a janitor in the afterlife (Beetlejuice). While likely a civil servant, there is no outward sign of suicide.
18. The late Jan Hooks: Tina the Alamo Tour Guide (PwBA), and Jen, the image consultant hired for Oswald's mayoral campaign (BR), are twin sisters.
19. Garrick Hagon: Harold (Batman) and the Denver Reporter (CATCF) are one and the same. Shortly after arriving in Gotham City, Harold was mugged with his wife and son present. Recently moving there for an entry-level newscaster position, he was nervous to be seen as a tourist. Capitalizing on this loose connection to the public reveal of Batman, career advancement eventually found him relocated to Denver, Colorado, and interviewing Mike Teavee, the finder of the fourth Golden Ticket in Willy Wonka's contest.
20. Biff Yeager: George (ES) was a neighbor to the Boggs at the time they hosted Edward. Already in a security position, he stepped forward to "save" Kevin Boggs from Edward. Shortly after, he took a security job with Shreck's and relocated to Gotham City. He and his partner confronted Selina Kyle/Catwoman sabotaging a location of the department store chain in an act of revenge on her boss (BR).
21. Christopher Walken: Speaking of Max Shreck (BR), he descended from the Hessian Horseman (SH), both being of German ancestry and ruthless in dealings.
22. The late Rance Howard: The son of Old Man McCoy (EW) invested the fortune in Texas oil and later hears Art Land's casino pitch during the Martian invasion (MA!).
23. Jack Nicholson: Jack Napier (Batman), President James Dale, and Art Land (both MA!) were triplets separated and adopted at birth. All three display a family history of mental illness. Most obvious is Jack who was on the streets at an early age, but eventually found footing in Carl Grissom's mob and rising in rank. While mostly collected, the effect of the chemical mixture enhanced his psychopathic tendencies into the new persona of the Joker. Conversely, President Dale was adopted into a loving family, eventually finding his way into politics. Under the strain of the Martian attack, some of his instability did rise to the surface. Art had an upbringing that led him to a life of obsessively chasing scheme after scheme. He began disguising his appearance when the news of Jack Napier's plot against Gotham City broke nationally for fear it would hurt his already questionable credibility, which was convenient as President Dale rose to prominence.
24. O-Lan Jones: Esmeralda (ES), Sue Ann Norris (MA!), and Shelley, manager of a Smart-Aid in Eaglewood, Florida (MP), are also triplets separated and adopted at birth. Esmeralda was raised by religious cultists and instantly feared Edward. Sue Anne was adopted by a family very much a part of stereotypical trailer park culture to the point she and her husband show disdain for their younger son because he does not share in their interests and skewed values. Shelley ended up the most socially adjusted of the three. She is shown to be kind to Jacob Portman, but that may be partially motivated by the fact he is related to her employers.
25. Frankenweenie (1984) is an in-universe short film made by an adult Victor Frankenstein about his experiences with Sparky (Fw12). As a child, he was an accomplished amateur filmmaker. The actor played by Jason Hervey in Pee-wee's Big Adventure, Kevin Malone, is part of the short's cast as Frank Dale. Portrayed in real-life by the late Joseph Maher, another member of the short's cast, otherwise unnamed, portrays the character Mr. Chambers. Also interested in interior decorating, he parlayed his Hollywood connections into being a celebrity decorator, leading First Lady Marsha Dale to hire him to redecorate the White House prior to the Martian attack (MA!).
26. Vincent is a visualization of an in-universe autobiographical poem, written from third person and read by The Inventor (ES). Vincent Malloy's obsession with Vincent Price so continued that he based his adult appearance, personality, etc., on him. His interest in lower budget films, such as those in which Price starred, led him to the films of Edward Wood, Jr., whom his creation is both modeled and named. A chronic illness caused an older physical appearance than his actual age and exacerbated or caused his heart condition. This reading is shortly after his diagnosis.
27. Mars Attacked? One of the biggest potentials for opposition to a shared universe is evidence of the events of Mars Attacks! after they occurred. First, the amount of destruction is unclear and may be limited to little more than the following (conceded, there are a lot of flying saucers): U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument, and White House in Washington, DC; Las Vegas, Nevada (much of which is still intact when Earth emerged victorious); Parkinsville, Kansas; Eiffel Tower and other locations in Paris, France; Big Ben and potentially all of Westminster Palace in London, England; Mount Rushmore near Keystone, South Dakota; Taj Mahal in Agra, India; and the moai on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). The mariachi band playing "Star-Spangled Banner" at the medal ceremony may be for a variety of reasons not directly related to the attack itself, such as able to be located on short notice or as a symbol of unity. Regardless, when Will Bloom's wedding party occurs five years later, little is shown of the location (BF). Three years after that, Will and his wife, Joséphine, visit his father and mother in Ashton, Alabama. It is safe to presume this small town suffered little ill effect from the attack. The Golden Ticket contest (CATCF) occurred two years later, ten years after the Martian attack. It might be said this was timed especially as most rebuilding was completed. At a point prior to the contest, Willy Wonka had built a chocolate palace at the request of Prince & Princess Pondicherry as an act of kindness to their devastated India.
28. The Tall Tales of Edward Bloom: The other major point of contention is that Edward Bloom's stories create an unreliable narrative (BF). However, nearly all of the subjects of his anecdotes attend his funeral and have many tales of their own. The level of exaggeration very well may not be as high as Will believes. There are embellishments of Karl's height and that twins Ping and Jing are conjoined, but as we the audience are privy, there are other witches and werewolves in the BurtonVerse, so why can't those parts be truth? Edward was in the unique position to meet the witch and Jenny Hill. Another embellishment, even legend, was combining them because he could see their physical resemblance.
29. Smylex vs. Smilex: A minor argument against an interconnected universe is that the Joker names his poisonous laughing gas Smylex (Batman) and Mr. Bucket works at a Smilex toothpaste factory (CATCF). So, why have or keep the homophonic name? The toothcare brand already had a significant share of the market before the Joker's plot. Part of his sick joke was to make this connection. Instead of changing the name, the toothpaste manufacturer decided to place the focus on the difference in spelling, the letter "i".

Again, despite the number of dots I connected, the intention is not to say there is a shared continuity, AKA the BurtonVerse. It was just a fun exercise for me that I decided to share the results. I found that both ST and BE exist in their own bubbles even if there was a BurtonVerse, and EW almost does. This is, of course, excluding TNBC and AIW due to their primary place settings of Halloween Town and Wonderland/Underland, respectively. Potentially in the future, I will add the Wednesday series and Beetlejuice sequel once released. I actually have a little more, but this post became lengthier than I intended as is. So, for a peak behind the scenes which includes some of my methodology and timeline, click here.

Next week...the first part of BurtonVerse Stats & Trivia!