Frankenweenie is out on DVD January 8 and features some neat new extras including a look behind-the-scenes at the set and props used in filming and an all-new original short, Captain Sparky vs. the Flying Saucers which has Sparky recruited into duty when an alien spacecraft begins attacking Earth. Like the Sparkysaurus short in Frankenweenie, it’s a movie-within-a-movie that references ’50s sci-fi movies and Burton’s experience making Super 8 films.
Captain Sparky’s Animation Supervisor Mark Waring who dished more details on the extra in an interview with USA Today.
“While Burton was filming the animated Frankenweenie, there was talk of doing more of Victor’s little DIY Super 8 films,” Mark Waring said. ‘Quite a lot of people, especially on the crew, had done that themselves.’
… Waring’s team was also happy to work with Sparky again after putting in the time to make the animated pet feel real on screen, from bringing real canines into the studio to visiting dog shows.
‘That’s basically what we were trying to do: find Sparky’s character,’ Waring said ‘It wasn’t just a thing that moves around. He has to have a personality, so we spent quite a bit of time in the early stages developing that, and as that came through, people were realizing he’s got a bit of a spark about him and a bit of cheekiness.’”
USA Today also reports that Mr. Whiskers, Brandy’s scheming, wide-eyed cat is also back for more. “Captain Sparky also features the return of the scene-stealing Mr. Whiskers, a weirdly lovable cat with bug eyes who was developed later in the Frankenweenie production process. His guest appearance taps into the cat-and-dog chase dynamic with Sparky.”
