Update: Empire has a couple of new behind-the-scenes looks at “Dark Shadows.” Check them out below.
This is how the game works we suppose. Last week, some dodgy set photos surfaced of Johnny Depp in costume and make-up on the set of Tim Burton‘s “Dark Shadows” and now, the first official still from the film has dropped over at EW.
It’s a helluva tease, putting the film’s bigger name stars — Depp, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley — waaay off in the background, and the other cast members up front. But it’s a good taste of the gothic tinge that film will be carrying, even if Depp’s haircut seems borrowed from Herman Munster. “Dark Shadows” is a big screen adaptation of the cult ‘60s show that centers on the playboy Barnabas (Depp) who breaks the heart of the witch Angelique Brouchard (Green) in 1752, and in her fury, she turns him into a vampire and buries him alive. When he reawakens in 1972, he returns to Collinwood Manor to find his estate and family in ruins. In addition to co-starring Bella Heathcote, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Chloe Moretz and Jonny Lee Miller, four original cast members are said to be gearing up for cameos and possibly Alice Cooper as well.
But this isn’t just another lark for Depp who has a penchant for playing dress up in oddball roles — he’s been a fan for a long time. “I do remember, very vividly, practically sprinting home from school in the afternoon to see Jonathan Frid play Barnabas Collins,” the actor tells EW. “Even then, at that age, I knew — this has got to be weird.”
“Dark Shadows” hits theaters on May 11, 2012 and it won’t be in 3D (thank god). Full image below.
Mmmmm… blood. That\’s a good sign, right?
Depp is a Superstar. And Tim Burton can do no wrong! FACT. (Except for his Planet of the Apes movie. I don\’t know what happened there. That was painful.) But the thing I\’m digging most about this film is the return of Michelle Pfeiffer.
Went to see Tim Swenny Todd because of the gruesome subject, highly disappointed, no one told the public Depp and other was going to sing in the movie, remember two persons got up and walked out the theater when Depp started singing. Not a big fan of Tim Burton imagination.
Remember Dark Shadow very well as a preteen.
The photograph is a remake of the famous original cast photo from the 1960\’s. Faithful and brilliant styling.
The earthy detraction in this section is refreshing as a summer\’s eve.
\”It’s a helluva tease, putting the film’s bigger name stars—Depp, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley—waaay off in the background, and the other cast members up front.\”
Uhh, hello…Michelle Pfeiffer is still a name in Hollywood (not to mention Burton royalty thanks to Catwoman) and is front and center!!
Another gothic Burton film with Johnny Depp playing an eccentric/quirky character?!? FUCK OUTTA HERE!
Yawn.
I\’m really digging this pic! It has a gothic – \”The Ice Storm\” feel to it. Makes me anticipate the film even more. Say what you will bout the last few Burton/Depp collaborations, but I think this has a chance to be their best since \”Sleepy Hollow\”, and hopefully get Burton going again . And I can\’t deny the talent involved. This is going to be one of the most potentially interesting mainstream films of next year. But if this film disappoints I\’ll have to give up Burton finally. I made this far loving him. He\’s what made me notice directors and their stamp on a film at the young age of ten.
Jackie Earle Haley looks like Steve Coogan in that pic.
This film has a stellar cast but I wish it was for a better project than this.
I too used to sprint home to catch Dark Shadows after school and let me just say that Depp\’s hair is not Munster-like, but obviously modeled after Jonathan Frid\’s Barnabas. In fact with the exception of HBC\’s blue eye shadow, this cast looks remarkably like their 1960s-70s tv counterparts.
Sigh, I miss being excited for a new Tim Burton film.
Went to see Tim Swenny Todd because of the gruesome subject, highly disappointed, no one told the public Depp and other was going to sing in the movie, remember two persons got up and walked out the theater when Depp started singing. Not a big fan of Tim Burton imagination.
Remember Dark Shadow very well as a preteen.