 Originally planned as a supernatural drama entitled "The Maitlands",  about a deceased couple dealing with the troubles of the afterlife.  The scenes were scripted much more morbidly than they appear (most  notably the waiting room scenes, which were supposed to be  particularly ghoulish), and most of the characters were much darker.  Only when Michael Keaton (qv) began filming his scenes and asked  for creative freedom did Tim Burton (I) (qv) realize the potential  of a dark comedy.