The Pumpkin King

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a beloved holiday movie. The juxtaposes horror and wonder, and fans embraced the film with open minds and open hearts. The film was the first of its kind, and it remains a classic to this day. The film just became even more significant though. Forever fans have wondered who Jack Skellington was before he died, and now they finally have an answer. Tim Burton has confirmed that Jack Skellington was black. This is a huge deal because this means that The Nightmare Before Christmas was the first Disney film to star a black man.

So Who Was Jack Skellington Before He Died?

Fans have speculated Jack Skellington’s origins for ages. Writer Tim Burton did not go into the specifics about Jack Skellington’s origins, but he has given us his ethnicity. In a 2020 interview, Tim Burton said “Who was Jack Skellington? It isn’t about who he was, it is about what he looked like. Jack Skellington was indeed a black man. Black people typically don’t fit in with my aesthetic, but I was finally able to make one work. By making him a skeleton, I was able to get him to match my aesthetic. This was a difficult move for me, but I am glad I made it work”.

Tim Burton has been criticized in the past for the lack of diversity in his films. It sounds like he really has been mindful of minorities groups and their inclusion all along. This is likely going to silence these critics, as Tim Burton has proved he is on the side of social justice.

What If Tim Burton Is Just Saying This To Save His Own Ass?

Some fans suggest that Tim Burton is pulling a J.K. Rowling, and is just doing this in hindsight. This is likely not the case though. Tim Burton is a great writer. He would never retroactively change or retcon one of his works. Jack Skellington was a black man all along, he just didn’t want to make a big deal about it. It would be unethical for Tim to use this as a way to defuse his criticisms. It is hard to imagine his intentions of that sinister.

The Nightmare Before Christmas Is 27 Years Old, Why Is He Only Just Now Confirming This?

Celebrities like Tim Burton can finally say what they have always wanted to say. Being an ally for under represented groups is not only safe to do now, but it is the cool thing to do. Tim Burton is playing hero, and it is working. The Twitter community has praised Tim Burton, as they admire his bravery and his dedication to minorities.

Do We Know Anything Else About Jack Skellington’s Origins?

Tim Burton was reluctant in saying anything else about Jack Skellington’s origins. He was not even willing to give out his name. Later in the interview, Tim Burton said “I will not say anything more. I want to leave Jack’s origins up to interpretation. The only thing fans can no longer speculate about is his ethnicity. The rest shall stay a mystery for now”.

What do you think about Jack Skellington being black? Do you appreciate the representation brought on by this news, or do you think it seems a bit too convenient for Tim Burton? Let us know in the comments.