Director Tim Burton of "Wednesday" has at long last revealed the genesis of his decision to cast Jenna Ortega in the iconic role. The 22-year-old actress embodies Wednesday Addams in the hit Netflix horror series, a portrayal for which Tim had unwavering conviction. He recognized from the outset that Jenna was the perfect match for the title character.
As the director of classics like "Batman," Burton knows all too well the challenges of bringing such a beloved figure to life; an actor must possess a certain essence, an innate connection to the role. Speaking to The Independent, he emphasized, "One cannot merely assign the part of Wednesday Addams to anyone. It must be a part of their very being."
Burton, who has previously helmed Ortega in "Beetlejuice," recalled first perceiving that unique quality in the "Scream" star during the filming of their 2024 movie. He mused, "Jenna reminds me of Winona [Ryder] when I first encountered her on 'Beetlejuice.' That silent screen charisma, where words are unnecessary." The 66-year-old director elaborated, "All it takes is one glance from Jenna, and you instantly know: this is Wednesday."
Currently, the first part of "Wednesday" season 2 is available for streaming on Netflix, with the second part poised to make its debut on September 3.
