Tim Burton's Dark Shadows

If there's one working relationship between and actor and a director in cinema history which has proved to have always been successful with each passing film, it has to be that between Johnny Depp and Tim Burton. These are two talents who bring out the best in each other. They first worked together in 1990 on Edward Scissorhands, Depp wanted to shed his image of a TV teen idol brought about by 21 Jump Street, Burton knew Depp would be a perfect fit for the role, and he was, adding an innocent quirkiness to Burton's fairy tale, and it helped get Depp's foot firmly in the door of Hollywood. Hence, a working relationship was born, next up for these two was Ed Wood (1994), a biopic on Edward D. Wood Jr. the worst director ever, after that came Sleepy Hollow (1999), a beautiful gothic tale which saw Burton at the peak of his powers. Since then, Depp became hugely popular due to Pirates of the Carribean, so when he and Burton worked together again on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), it would be their most successful film together, and Depp lent his voice to Burton's Corpse Bride (2005) as well. Then came Sweeney Todd (2007), a very dark horror-musical which won alot of critical acclaim, followed by Alice in Wonderland (2010), which became Burton and Depp's most profitable film ever. Now, they're adding a 8th film together to the list, which could be their most offbeat one yet. It's a big screen adaptation of a popular American gothic-horror soap-opera from the late 1960's. Burton and Depp are both HUGE FANS of the soap, and these two doing it will be an irrestiable match. Dark Shadows has Tim Burton written all over it, and he'll prove to be a perfect match for an odd sound film...

The original soap, created by Dan Curtis, ran on ABC TV in America from June 27th 1966 until April 2nd 1971, in all a staggering 1225 episodes were made in that time. The original soap followed the goings-on of the Collins family, who lived in Collinsport, Maine. It starts off with governess Victoria Winters arriving in search of her roots, but this is no ordinary family, with weird things happening to them, supernatural and horrific. Then, it gets even more stranger when Barnabas Collins, the family's "cousin from England" turns up, and it just so happens that he has a vampire curse which happens to make matters worse. For the film version, Depp will be playing Barnabas Collins, a part originated by Jonathan Frid.

It sounds like an ideal film for Burton to work on, and whilst there's some who may grumble at the idea of Burton and Depp working together, it's a good thing, as they bring the best out in each other, and they haven't made a bad film yet. But, it'll be interesting to see what they can do with a film of this calibre. However, it is an odd choice to do a film version of, (how many film versions of soap operas do you know off??) Plus, the original sounds like the only one of it's kind, a soap-opera horror. But, what made it unique, was that it went out live, and so on-screen bloopers were very frequent, not helped by the cardboard sets, ropey acting and amateur special effects. Watch a few of them here!!

Actually, two film versions of Dark Shadows have actually been made before!! First up was House of Dark Shadows (1970), which was soon followed by Night of Dark Shadows (1971), both produced by MGM. So, it is possible. But, with Burton on board, he'll give it a very professional sheen, but also honour it faithfully. Hopefully, it won't be as cheesy as what the original soap was. Depp's production company, Infinitum Nihil, recently acquired the rights to a new film version of the soap, and Depp already had Burton in mind for a film version of it, when offered, Burton said yes. Both of them loved the show when they were younger, as a kid, Depp was so obsessed by the character Barnabas Collins, he wanted to BE him. Now, it's coming true!! Filming is set to start in April, and Warner Bros. have the film down for a 2012 release. Images from the original soap-opera!! Casting has already started too, Jackie Earle Haley has joined the film!! Also in the film is the lovely Eva Green, off The Dreamers, Kingdom of Heaven and Casino Royale!!







So, how do we all feel about Burton and Depp working together once again?? On the evidence from their last film, Sweeney Todd, it's clear they should be working together more. Plus, this'll be a film in the same gothic sense of Sleepy Hollow or Sweeney Todd, and we all associate Burton with all things gothic, as it's what he does best!! Before this, Depp has a few films to do, including POTC 4 and The Rum Diary. Burton has another film on the go, a stop-motion remake of his 1984 short film Frankenweenie!! So, both talents are going to be very busy for the next couple of years, and as for this, it'll be something to very much look forwards to. It is a very odd idea for a film, but I bet that it'll work wonders with these two involved!!

Michelle Pfeiffer and Helena Bonham Carter to join Dark Shadows!!

I KNEW Helena Bonham Carter would be up for part in this!!

Helena Bonham Carter says she's to play an "alcoholic psychiatrist" in this. She says Burton see's her part as a "departure".

Michael Sheen could join Dark Shadows!!

Chloe Moretz is to join the film!!

She's getting some good parts at the moment, and it's quite an ensemble Burton has got together too!!

It opens on May 11th 2012!!

Filming has started at Pinewood Studios!! And it says Jonny Lee Miller (Sick Boy off Trainspotting) has joined the film!! And it's set in 1972!!

Tim Burton gives us a production update!!

Plus, Burton says it won't be in 3D, and that "people should have a choice."

Good on Burton.

Could Alice Cooper have a cameo in Dark Shadows??

What a good choice!!

Didn't recognise Depp!

Eva Green looks good blonde.

Yeah she suits it, and Jackie Earle Haley looks creepy. That's Jonny Lee Miller in the grey suit, wait till you see him in Season 5 of Dexter!!

I never used to like Lee Miller, until I saw the show Eli Stone. He's really good in in. Didn't know he was in Dexter!

Oh, brace yourself!!

Helena Bonham Carter thinks Dark Shadows will be impossible to sell because it's a soap opera.

I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing...

What do you think of that Gimli??

Flaming 'eck, Depp looks creepy in that pic!

That's a good thing, I wonder if Burton will be faithful to the series or will he go all Hammer Horror like he did with Sleepy Hollow??

I love the style of Sleepy Hollow, I'd be happy to see more like that.

This poster for the Tim Burton Expo at the La Cinematheque Francaise in France has Depp as Barnabas Collins on it!!

Love those specs!

I wouldn't mind a pair myself.

That one of Johnny Depp is creepy...