Frankenweenie EW Production and Character Photos

Three new photos have been released from the stop-motion animated tale Frankenweenie, which hits theaters nationwide October 5, 2012. Take a look at these production and character images below, and read on for some of the history behind Tim Burton‘s latest project.

Frankenweenie began with a live-action short Tim Burton made in 1984, which ended up costing the director his job as an artist at Walt Disney. Here’s what Tim Burton had to say about the original concept of Frankenweenie, which centers on a boy’s first pet, as told with a genre spin.

“It just tries to keep that idea of a very, simple pure relationship. Mix that with the Frankenstein myth, and it causes problems. It has its good side and repercussions. Ultimately, we try to go with the slightly more positive aspects of keeping that [boy-and-his-dog] relationship going.”

Tim Burton also talked about being fired from Disney for making the original Frankenweenie short film.

“I don’t know, they got freaked out or something, but they still allowed me to make the film. Even though I was frustrated about the release – or not release of it – it was still a great experience, and did a lot for me, so I couldn’t really complain.”

The director also said Frankenweenie sprung from his own first-pet experience as a child growing up in Burbank.

“It’s such an unconditional relationship. A lot of kids have that experience – I certainly had that experience with a first pet. You’ll probably never have it again in your life in that way, it’s so pure and memorable.”

Frankenweenie comes to theaters October 5th, 2012 and stars Winona Ryder, Martin Landau, Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Charlie Tahan, Atticus Shaffer, Robert Capron, Conchata Ferrell. The film is directed by Tim Burton.