Hi folks!
The comment in that TV guide piece mentioning 'Dan Curtis is planning a new movie' has gotten many fans- myself included-very excited about the possibility of a new DS movie.
While I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but I believe it's mostly just PR.
Dan Curtis has been hoping to get a DS movie off the ground since the 91 series. The plan, I believe was to do a two-movie version of the 91 series; one film covering the intro of Barnabas, Vicki etc.; the second covering 1795. I'm not sure if this ever went to script stage or just outline stage.
There is NO new script and if a studio was interested it would have to commission one. Even then, it would probably be yet another retelling of HODS (yawn) with a new cast.
Dan Curtis is always 'planning' another DS show, DS movie, and a NIGHT STALKER movie (which have been pitched, rewritten and rejected numerous times). There are several DC projects in development, but the dramatic TV movies (I can't be more specific than that) are the most likely to get the go-ahead.
Over the last 5 or so years, projects keep getting stalled in development. The studios just don't seem to take the bait.
I wouldn't advise anyone to hold their breath.
While it'd be a treat to have a DC horror feature out in theaters again- it's been 26 years since his last horror feature, BURNT OFFERINGS- (and I'd relish the opportunity to watch him direct the material), I think the DS story material is too dated and the backstory and amount of characters is crippling and unwieldy for screen condensation.
Forced into a two hour time slot, with a beginning, middle and end, you end up with a rampaging vampire movie, which is certainly fun, but extremely stale.
If DC did get the go-ahead on a new horror picture, I'm sure he'd direct the hell out of it, and at least it would be a few notches above all-CGI junk like THE HAUNTING remake. Honestly, though, I don't believe DC has seen many modern horror films (it's never been his interest)- the last one I think was SLEEPY HOLLOW- and I wonder if a modern 18-25 year old audience would respond to his style.
Of course, in this town, projects get greenlighted fast if the right people are interested. Heck, maybe the TV guide article successfully netted Dan a bunch of pitch meetings next week.
You never know.
Remember though, in the film business, it's always wise to have some kind of production rumors going around. Whether they're true or not, you want people in the industry to know you're name and to be talking about you. It helps get pitch meetings and deals made when the 20 something, no-nothing executive knows your name...