Johnny Depp to Star In New Dark Shadows

Tim Burton Rumored to Direct Adaptation of Gothic Soap Opera

Sep 2, 2009 Mckenzie Cassidy

Johnny Depp has signed on to portray Barnabus Collins, the 175-year-old lovesick vampire, in a film adaptation of the ABC's popular gothic opera, Dark Shadows.

Depp reportedly agreed to the Dark Shadows project and may team up with visionary director Tim Burton to deliver the show's unique style and tone. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Depp said he was “obsessed” with the show and always wanted to portray Barnabus Collins, while Burton is also a self-described fan of the show.

These two have worked together many times in hits like Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Burton's dark style of storytelling coupled with Depp's fearless acting style, as well as the chemistry the two share, should help the production and make Dark Shadows a quality film.

Both Burton and Depp will have to complete current projects before even thinking about Dark Shadows. Tim Burton is currently in post-production for Alice in Wonderland (Due in theaters this year and also starring Depp) and he's in pre-production on Frankenweenie, according to the International Movie Database.

Depp, on the other hand, recently finished Alice in Wonderland, but is scheduled to star in other films (The Rum Diary and Rango) and is rumored to be in Frank Miller’s Sin City 3.

The Horror Soap Opera Dark Shadows Turns Into Cult Classic

Dark Shadows, on the air from 1966 to 1971, has evolved into a cult classic with over 1,000 episodes. Two feature film spin-offs were released in 1970 and 1971, but the new version may very well put the show back on the map. Furthermore, if it is successful there are plenty of opportunities for sequels.

Dan Curtis created the show and Canadian actor Jonathan Frid portrayed the classic Barnabus Collins – perhaps the most memorable character on the show. There has been no confirmation on whether Frid will make a cameo in the adaptation.

Alexandra Isles starred as the naïve governess Victoria Winters, Joan Bennet played house matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, and Nancy Barrett as Carolyn Stoddard.

There isn’t much suspense or heart-racing action, as most modern television shows require to capture audiences, but dialogue and creative story telling carry the show. On top of that, Dark Shadows was produced in the early days of television, so at times it may appear a bit low budget or silly, yet the more you watch the more it grows on you.

Dark Shadows Showcases Supernatural Creatures of the Night

Each episode of Dark Shadows features werewolves, ghosts or vampires, but the show ultimately centers on the aristocratic Collins family, who live in a historical estate (Collinswood) in a small town named Collinsport.

The show begins after Victoria Winters is hired by the Collins family to watch after 9-year-old David Collins, the nephew of Elizabeth Collins Stoddard. But, after moving into the house she notices strange things happening,

It wasn't until episode 211 when grave-robber Willie Loomis unleashes Barnabus Collins by opening a secret casket at the Collins family crypt. He had been imprisoned in a casket for nearly 200 years and once free he wishes to reclaim his family name and even attempts to seduce Victoria Winters.

The copyright of the article Johnny Depp to Star In New Dark Shadows in Sci-Fi TV is owned by Mckenzie Cassidy. Permission to republish Johnny Depp to Star In New Dark Shadows in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Jonathan Frid as Barnabus Collins in Dark Shadows

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