New Dark Shadows Movie: Depp as Barnabas

[declan]

This may have been mentioned elsewhwere, but I couldn't find a thread in TV Shows (it was), Comics (it was) and a couple of other forums I searched through.

I was watching the G4 coverage of the San Diego Comicon and they announced there's going to be a new movie based on the Dark Shadows 60's daytime soap opera (sorry no link) and that Depp has been linked to the project.

I can't see why Depp would be interested after just doing Sweeney Todd, but it's sort of a dream come true to me: If it happens.

As an adult I've seen all the existing episodes (the 2 bad movies several times) and I wonder if anyone here has any idea of how to tell the story of Barnabas Collins in a 2 hour movie. I don't, ergo I think think the studio is thinking franchise here and so is Depp (quo vadis Johnny?).

But outside of Batman, Barnabas Collins was my favorite fictional character when I was a kid. So, I've been thinking of how to do a "Begins" type introduction to a new audience.

I have ideas, but just curious if anyone here is interested in talking about it at all.

P.S. I wonder if Gaiman would write the screenplay for a few million.

 

[boydston_14]

I'm interested with this news as well. My mom had all the tapes of the episodes back when I was a kid and we watched a LOT of them. I was always intrigued with the character of Barnabas and I think Johnny Depp would do it quite well.

 

[declan]

I think of Depp as I do of Oldman, but Johnny, like Gary has really publically said he's happy to take roles he can do in his sleep.

Where Barnabas Collins is concerned, I'm not sure that attitude can cut it.

Barnabas is quite pre-Michael Corleone. He becomes all about family (albeit 200+ years later) only after his murders.Then he does he truly become to care about those people he's never met. And he proceeds to survive.

Quite Shakesperean, and I could argue that DS didn't escape any comic book writer of that time, especially Stan Lee.

Even if Depp is attached, this is going to be an almost impossible screenplay to sell. But it is possible.