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 By The Fly’s release in 1986, the 1958 original was already aging poorly due to its out-of-date visual effects and overall camp factor and was thus in desperate need of an update.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.
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 and the themes of his work, Burton’s approach to The Fly likely would not have been as successful as Cronenberg’s.
What Tim Burton's The Fly Could've Looked Like
By 1986, when The Fly was released, Burton had only directed Frankenweenie and Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Both of these films have a much lighter tone than the film The Fly would end up becoming. If Burton had tried to take a similar approach to the tone and mood of The Fly as he had with his two previous films, it would have felt out of place among the serious, existential events of the film.
The plot of The Fly movie wanted to focus on the scientist's transformation into the monster rather than the monster itself as the original from 1958 did. However, a common theme of Burton’s work is unordinary creatures/people interacting with everyday life, so his approach to The Fly likely would have focused on the monster’s existence in the normal world rather than the transformation, perhaps following a similar approach as Burton’s future film Edward Scissorhands. Coupled with Burton’s relationship to Vincent Price, who starred in 1958’s The Fly, his version of the film likely would have more closely resembled the original The Fly rather than being the newly focused remake the production had in mind.
While Tim Burton’s version of The Fly would have been an interesting take on the original story, it would not have been as successful as the movie by David Cronenberg. The Fly is so well regarded today for Cronenberg’s masterful body horror and unique approach to the film’s themes, and these elements likely wouldn't have been present had Burton directed it. Thankfully, Burton didn't direct The Fly, because it wouldn't be the horror classic it is today if he had.