Tim Burton is a name that needs no introduction. Renowned as a filmmaker, artist, and producer, he is celebrated for his unique ability to blend gothic themes with the macabre, creating some of the most distinctive and unsettling characters in cinematic history.

Known for frequently working with a recurring ensemble of stars, the director of Beetlejuice has often collaborated with Johnny Depp, his former partner Helena Bonham Carter, and Christopher Lee on various projects.

Besides his knack for portraying the bizarre and extraordinary, the 67-year-old director's favorite actors seem to share a common trait – they are predominantly white.

Burton has faced accusations of racism in the past due to the lack of diversity in films like Edward Scissorhands, Alice in Wonderland, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Additionally, screenwriter Caroline Thompson has previously criticized the American director for a character in the 1993 film The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Tim Burton is known for choosing to work with a familiar set of actors (Amy Sussman/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)

The 69-year-old highlighted on the podcast Script Alert that the film’s main antagonist, Oogie Boogie (voiced by Black actor Ken Page), bears a name that is considered a derogatory term for African Americans in the Southern US.

“I pleaded with the powers that be to change something about that character because of that,” she stated.

“I said: this is so ugly and dangerous and against everything I stand for. I did not win that battle… It was a distressing aspect of the film for me, to be honest.”

Burton faced criticism once more late last year with the release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, featuring Michael Keaton, Jenna Ortega, and Winona Ryder.

In one scene, Astrid Deetz (Ortega) finds herself aboard the ‘Soul Train’ en route to the Great Beyond.

This scene is said to directly reference the '70s musical variety TV show Soul Train, which showcased soul and hip-hop music by Black artists.

A screenwriter once attempted to address concerns over Oogie Boogie's name (Disney)

While some labeled the scene ‘racist as hell’, others commented: “I'm glad people are speaking out about Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and its portrayal of Black people. The only time Black characters appear is for a soul train joke.”

Meanwhile, a TikTok user suggested there was something ‘suspicious’ beneath the surface.

In 2016, Burton addressed the predominance of white actors in his films while promoting Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

When questioned by Bustle about the lack of diversity in his films, Burton replied: "Nowadays, people are discussing it more...things either call for certain elements, or they don’t.

A scene in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was criticized online last year (Warner Bros.)

"I remember as a child watching The Brady Bunch and noticing when they became politically correct by adding an Asian child and a Black child - I found that more offensive than anything. I grew up watching blaxploitation films, right?

"And I thought, that’s great. I didn’t feel like there should be more white people in those films."

Though some viewers took issue with the Soul Train sequence in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, others defended Burton.

One person recently commented: "I actually felt a sense of amazing Black culture emanate from the ‘Soul Train’ scene.”

Tyla has previously reached out to Burton's representatives for comment.