Thankfully Tim Burton Didn't Direct The Fly - It Would've Been Worse

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David Cronenberg’s adaptation of The Fly became an instant horror classic, but prior to his involvement, Tim Burton was attached to the project, which might have yielded a different (and worse) result. By The Fly’s release in 1986, the 1958 original was already aging poorly due to its out-of-date visual effects and overall camp factor and was thus in desperate need of an update. Cronenberg’s version of The Fly is the ideal modern update of the original, but it is interesting to consider how the film might have turned out differently if Tim Burton had been its director.

When talks of remaking 1958's The Fly began, David Cronenberg was the first choice to direct it, but he was unavailable due to his commitment at the time to Total Recall, an adaptation of the classic Phillip K. Dick story. Robert Bierman was then attached to the project, but had to drop out due to a personal tragedy. Tim Burton was also rumored to be involved with The Fly, with Michael Keaton allegedly being offered the lead role that would eventually go to Jeff Goldblum. However, when Cronenberg left Total Recall due to creative differences with its production, he was again offered the opportunity to direct The Fly, which he accepted, and a horror classic was born.

Related: Tim Burton’s Favorite Horror Movies

Tim Burton is a successful director in his own right, but it is unlikely that his version of The Fly would have been as successful as Cronenberg’s. Tim Burton movies have become known for his spooky, gothic style and affinity for dark elements. At the time of The Fly’s production, however, his only directorial work was two films with light tones, and using a similar approach would not have suited The Fly’s story. Because of his films up to that point