Most recently, the controversy has extended to his film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, where a scene featuring Jenna Ortega’s character, Astrid Deetz, on a ‘Soul Train’ journey to the Great Beyond has sparked debate. The reference to the ’70s musical variety show, which showcased Black artists, has led some viewers to question whether it perpetuates racial stereotypes.Earlier criticism also included The Nightmare Before Christmas, where screenwriter Caroline Thompson had expressed concerns about the portrayal of the villain, Oogie Boogie, and its potential racial implications. Thompson revealed that she had tried to convince the creators to alter the character due to the term “Oogie Boogie” being a derogatory term for African Americans in the American South.In response to questions about his casting choices, including those in his 2016 film Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Burton explained that his casting decisions are influenced by the needs of the story. He commented that while he acknowledges the current conversations about diversity, he also recalled feeling uncomfortable with what he perceived as forced inclusivity in media from his childhood.Despite the criticism, some viewers have defended Burton, feeling that the ‘Soul Train’ scene in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice offers a celebration of Black culture rather than a harmful stereotype.