Tim Burton’s Influence Made Elijah Wood’s PG-13 Animated Film Possible

Elijah Wood lent his voice to the character in Shane Acker’s animated film 9, which premiered in 2009. This project owes much of its existence to the creative influence of Tim Burton. Following his iconic role as Frodo Baggins in the acclaimed The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Wood showcased his versatile talent in various films, including Sin City, Paris, Je T’aime, and Happy Feet. He further solidified his presence on television as the star of the FX comedy series Wilfred and made a recent appearance in the second season of the Emmy-nominated show Yellowjackets.

Tim Burton’s Impact on Animated Cinema

Renowned for his unique visual storytelling, Burton has been instrumental in creating several beloved animated features throughout his career. He contributed as a screenwriter to animated classics like The Nightmare Before Christmas and James and the Giant Peach, and he directed films such as Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie. Recently, Burton helmed the hit Netflix series Wednesday, which is set to return for its second season in 2025. Additionally, the highly awaited sequel to Beetlejuice is now available for streaming on HBO/MAX. Without Burton’s involvement with 9, this film might never have come to fruition.

Tim Burton: A Key Catalyst in the Making of 9

Burton’s Role as a Producer After Viewing the Short Film

Scene from 9, featuring the character played by Elijah Wood

Originally conceived as a short film by Shane Acker, 9 originated from Acker’s work at the UCLA Animation Workshop in 2005. This short, which earned an Academy Award nomination, caught Tim Burton’s attention and prompted him to become a producer for the feature-length adaptation, significantly contributing to its realization. In this film, Wood voiced #9, the protagonist.

Although Burton was pivotal in the film’s production, he did not take on the roles of director or writer for the project. The feature screenplay was collaboratively written by Acker along with Pamela Pettler and Ben Gluck. Despite the film’s promising start, buoyed by its short film accolades and Burton’s backing, 9 faced mixed critical reviews, reflected in a Rotten Tomatoes score of 57%. Box office performance was also modest, with earnings totaling $48.4 million against a $30 million budget.

Elijah Wood’s Co-Stars in 9: A Star-Studded Ensemble

Notable Cast Members Include Jennifer Connolly & Christopher Plummer

Another scene from 9, featuring Elijah Wood and other characters

Elijah Wood was not the only notable voice talent in 9. He was joined by a distinguished cast that featured Jennifer Connolly, Christopher Plummer, Crispin Glover, Martin Landau, and John C. Reilly. Plummer’s remarkable career included roles in Beginners, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and Knives Out before his passing in 2021. Connolly recently graced the screen in Top Gun: Maverick, while Reilly was seen in the HBO series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. Although 9 is currently unavailable for streaming, it can be rented across multiple digital platforms.

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