Tim Burton on casting Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams
‘Wednesday’ producer Tim Burton believes Jenna Ortega has Addams daughter role in her DNA
Acclaimed filmmaker Tim Burton didn’t have a second thought about Jenna Ortega when he was looking to cast a teenage girl for the role of Wednesday Addams.
Burton, popularly recognised for his dark and gothic fantasy style, saw Wednesday in Ortega, making her the ultimate Netflix macabre queen.
Speaking with The Independent, the Batman director explained how Ortega has the character within her, compelling him not to look at anyone else after her.
“You can’t just ask somebody to do Wednesday Addams,” said Burton. “They have to have it in their DNA. Jenna reminds me a bit of what Winona [Ryder] had when I first met her on Beetlejuice.”
Noting Ortega’s ability to fully embody the character, Burton added: “That silent movie actor thing, where they don’t have to say anything. You just have Jenna stare at you, and you knew right away that was Wednesday.”
Burton’s emphasis on Ortega having Wednesday “in her DNA” shows how casting is more than mere acting ability — it’s about embodying the character.
Meanwhile, the Emmy-nominated star profoundly leans into the gothic and deadpan personality that the show demands.
This demonstrates that Burton, rather than simply remaking Wednesday for a younger generation, is carefully balancing cultural continuity with the eerie, enigmatic stance of the character.
In an era of fast-paced, dialogue-heavy shows, Ortega’s subtle performance stands out as a bold choice, making her character speak louder than words.
Nevertheless, Wednesday is a younger version of Burton’s own gothic, dark and outcast personality.
