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

BTW, for the people worried about the movie having humor, I suspect it will be along the lines of the discussion in the "second story" in this Saturday Night Live Weekend Update skit about the second amendment:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/207600/saturday-night-live-update-favorites-jan-15-2011#s-p3-sr-i3

The thought of Barnabas seeing cars and airplanes within minutes of being freed by Willy lends itself to many opportunities for humor.

Sorry, Gothick, I know that Ms Hall and Helena BC have both been Oscar nominated, but I have to think Helena's is the more distinguished film career of the two, though I know Grayson did a lot on stage.  I think we should just try to enjoy this new movie on its own merits, and maybe not try to compare a two hour movie to a 1225 episode soap---I think the movie will fly or fail on its own merits, and at least they have Angelique in the new movie, which was a major omission in HODS, at least to me...

For what it's worth, Helena describes her role as "only a small part."

I'm big on the Big Society, says Helena

(scroll down to near the end, just above the Charlie Sheen photo)

Interesting that Julia will only be a small part in the film. But then, she didn't figure too prominently in the pilot for the '91 Series and her participation was almost nonexistent in the '04 pilot. True, in both of those cases the role was to be expanded in the TV series - but there's also the possibility that this film will kick off a franchise. We saw comments like that a year or so ago, Variety mentioned it last month, and back when Jackie Earle Haley's and Bella Heathcote's casting was reported in The Wall Street Journal, it was also reported that Warner Brothers is supposedly hoping to make a DS trilogy (though that was the first I've heard of a trilogy - and who knows where WSJ got the info?). If that's true, perhaps Burton & Co. have deliberately kept Julia's part in this film small with the intention of expanding her in subsequent films should they get made...

It's very nice to see you posting, usffan. I'll definitely check out the SNL clip when I get a chance later today.

And as for Angelique's absence in hoDS, we don't actually know that she was involved in that Barn's curse. I've always found it interesting that Barn says, "When they put this curse upon me..." But I definitely agree that Angelique's presence in this film should make for a much richer story.

It's reassuring to hear the film will be faithful to the DS legacy.  I'm banking on the fact that Depp and Burton are both fans of the classic series.  We shall see...

Latest additions behind the scenes are to the visual effects department. Angus Bickerton has been added as visual effects supervisor, and Barrie Hemsley as visual effects producer.

With Bickerton, perhaps the most interesting thing from our POV could be that he worked on Interview with the Vampire. And it would seem as if he and Hemsley already have a working relationship because they've worked on many of the same projects. Bickerton previously worked with Burton on Batman. Hemsley doesn't seem to have any connections to Burton or Depp - however, he has won two Primetime Emmys: for his work on HBO's Rome and The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, as well as two awards for Rome from the Visual Effects Society. Bickerton has two awards from UK's Royal Television Society - one for the BBC TV series Red Dwarf and one for BBC/HBO's Band of Brothers.

Small part could also mean that Julia makes her entrance a little later in the film. If they are intending to stay somewhat true to the series, then it should be remembered that Julia wasn't even in Collinsport yet when Barnabas was first released. She came in some two months later. On the other hand, who knows how they will condense all of that for the film. Angelique wasn't around then either.

I find it interesting that we still know relatively little about Bella Heathcote's character, other than the governess vs. waitress/Josette lookalike controversy.

I find it interesting that we still know relatively little about Bella Heathcote's character, other than the governess vs. waitress/Josette lookalike controversy.

It's gotten to the point where it's hard to imagine that isn't intentional. But who knows...

And as for Angelique's absence in hoDS, we don't actually know that she was involved in that Barn's curse. I've always found it interesting that Barn says, "When they put this curse upon me..."

I always, interestingly enough, interpreted that as if he Barnabas were talking about the Leviathans, considering the time that the script was drafted. 

Intriguingly, I see on IMDb where the film's art department has added Bruce Gordon as sculptor. He's worked previously with Burton on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as well as on other films as varied as The Young Victoria (produced by Graham King), Nine, Clash of the Titans, Casino Royale and The Wolfman.

It's seeming like more and more of the technical people who worked on The Wolfman will also be working on the Depp/DS film. And considering how well The Wolfman turned out, that can't be a bad thing.

Sorry, but I did not see this mentioned anywhere else. Apparently there are indications that this film will be set in our favorite time period.  Take a look here: http://darkshadowsnews.blogspot.com/2011/03/vintage-look-for-dark-shadows-movie.html

And, apparently, Helena has reportedly stated that it will be set in the '70s, though I cannot find a source to verify this information. 

Truly exciting news, as this is what I wanted to see. 

Kathryn Leigh Scott Writes Shadows-Inspired Novel

Why is that link in this topic? Well, because KLS has read the script for the Depp/DS film, and she briefly comments on it in the interview. (Thank you for asking the question, Stuart ) Interesting - the word "funny" doesn't appear once in her comment.

That would be great news to me if the movie did take place in the 60s or 70s. Frankly the nonstop appearances of cellphones, computers & other gizmos seem to get in the way (and not to mention date) modern horror flicks for me. Last thing I want to see is a scene of Dr Hoffman googling vampire cures on her iPhone or somethin.  

KLS's book also sounds quite interesting & a bit like the Shadow-Town novel. http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Town-John-Lutz/dp/0445403438/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3J45AF87I2QP1&colid=2OR1B2VN7W8FB

i wonder why on earth KLS was granted access to the script???

is she to play a small part? is pomegranate press doing a book?

strange too that the original "waitress who resembles barnabas' long lost love" didn't shed any light on that little mystery either.

Perhaps KLS has a consulting type role in the new movie? If there is a role for Roger in the movie I have come up with a suggestion for the actor to play him:  Martin Clune.  I've been watching Doc Martin and he's fabulous and would be perfect as the arrogrant, fussy individual Louis Edmonds played so well.