Selick had originally planned James to be a real actor through the entire film , then later considered doing the whole film in stop - motion ; .
Selick had originally ultimately settled on entirely live - action and entirely stop - motion sequences , to keep lower costs .
Selick had originally planned James to be a real actor through the entire film , then later considered doing the whole film in stop - motion ; but ultimately settled on entirely live - action and entirely stop - motion sequences , to keep lower costs .