Tim Burton predecessor. Burton produced, but did not direct, due to schedule constraints on "Batman Returns", "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993) for Disney, originally meant to be a children's book in rhyme. The film was directed by Henry Selick and written by Caroline Thompson, based on Burton's original story, world and characters. The film received positive reviews for the stop motion animation, musical score and original storyline. It was a box office success, grossing $50 million.Because of the ruling nature of the film, it was not produced under Disney's name, but rather Disney owned Touchstone Pictures. Disney also fought for the protagonist
The Hawkline Monster: A Gothic Western ends, but an epilogue states that the sisters eventually divorced the two men. For many years film-maker Hal Ashby unsuccessfully attempted to make a film adaptation of this book. Actors Jack Nicholson, Harry Dean Stanton and Jeff Bridges were all considered for the lead roles. Brautigan wrote a screenplay which Ashby rejected. When asked to write a second draft, Brautigan turned him down. The film was never made. Director Tim Burton also tried to make a film version, Jack Nicholson and Clint Eastwood were attached to star but after Eastwood left the project so did Nicholson and then eventually Burton