It's official: Dark Shadows returns as a film with Johnny Depp

[Mysterious Benefactor]

I love the title of the LA Times article.

As for the Depp/DS film being done in 3D, I still can't picture how it will enhance the story. Something like how in hoDS Barnabas moves in to attack Carolyn in her bedroom would be effective in 3D - but what else do you do? I suppose we'll see. But just so long as it isn't flies coming out of the screen at us.  

[joe integlia]

but BATS flying out at the screen at us would be great!

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Yeah - but how often can you do that?

Now we have two gags:

• Barnabas attacking.
• Bats flying.

[KMR]

What scares me is that the 3-D aspect is going to take energy and budget away from other things in the production that would actually enhance the story.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

I have the same fear. But just like I'm trying to keep an open mind that Burton will be directing, I'll try to keep an open mind if it turns out the film will be shot in 3D...

[Taeylor Collins]

Do you think we will have the choice between seeing it in 3D and 2D!??

[Mysterious Benefactor]

If the film is indeed shot in 3D, how we each see it will all depend on how the theaters in each of our areas are showing it. But regardless of that, I still think the film would be released on DVD/Blu Ray in 2D because so few people are likely to own 3D TVs...

[Taeylor Collins]

Didn't people get a choice with Alice?  I agree about the 3D tv's!

[Mysterious Benefactor]

I can't speak to everywhere, but certainly not around here. You either went to a theater that was showing Alice in 3D or one that was showing it in 2D. There weren't any complexes that were showing it in both. And the theaters that were showing it in 2D were few and far between because something like 80% of the theaters in the US that showed Alice showed it in 3D.

[jimbo]

Not speaking for the large multiplex theatres in the heart of New York, but the multi-theatres in the boroughs in NY have one theatre that is capable of playing a 3D movie. So when a movie like Alice opened it payed on two screens at the same multi-theatre. However when Clash and the Dragon 3D movie came out one of the theatres in Staten Island decided not to play the Clash movie in 3D so there certainly will be times when you will be only able to see one version of a movie. It will be interesting to see what happens when more 3D movies are released in the future if the movie houses don't expand its 3D playing capabilities.

[joe integlia]

it seems like just untill recently, when a 3d movie came to dvd it was also offered in 3d on dvd but with the inferior red+green glasses 3d format because thats the only 3d process that seems to work on our present tv system. now they seemed to only offer 3d films in 2d dvd or blue ray formats. perhaps when the new 3d tvs become more popular and affordable the 3d films will be re issued in 3d for the new 3d tvs. does anyone know if the new 3d tvs use the red/green glasses or not?

[Gothick]

A friend says you use something he calls "polarized" glasses to watch now with the new technique. It sounds like a complete upgrade from the old 3 D.

To be blunt, I find it all a crashing bore.  But for those who are into it--the "industry" is jumping on this bigtime.

G.

[Cousin_Barnabas]

I am not happy about this 3D speculation.  I hope Warner decides to ditch this gimmick before it's too late.  I see very little that 3D can add to the picture.  Dark Shadows isn't really about sight gags, surprises, or fancy graphics.  It's about good characters, music, and stories.  And those things don't require 3D. 

[KMR]

While the waves of 3D releases very 10 or so years are always about generating more revenue (it is a business, after all), this latest one is just so blatantly about greed.  I don't remember there being a surcharge during waves past.  Then they started charging about $2 extra for the 3D, then $3, and I hear some places have upped it to $5.  Ridiculous!

I'm hoping it doesn't happen, but if DS happens to be made/released in 3D, I will end up seeing it that way.  But I only see myself opting for 2D when it comes out on Blu-ray.  (I don't see myself ever getting a 3D TV; what's the point?)

[Gothick]

Dear Cousin Barnabas,

just keep repeating to yourself those magic words--"Warners greenlights Night of DS restoration project..."

It's the main thing I focus on at this point.  I'm quite prepared to hear next that they're going to cast the whole Depp Shadows thing with Muppets at this point.  (particularly if the new Muppet movie really takes off--fancy Miss Piggy as Angelique?)

The three things the suits care about are sales, sales, and sales.  Oh and merchandising. 

G.