ROTTEN TOMATOES: Johnny Depp to Play Old-School Vampire

Johnny Depp to Play Old-School Vampire

Ask your parents if they remember 'Dark Shadows'

by Scott Weinberg | July 27, 2007

Did you know that there used to be a horror-themed soap opera? Yep, it was called Dark Shadows and it ran on ABC throughout the late '60s. Turns out Johnny Depp is a huge fan of the old series -- which of course means a big-screen version is about to hit the scene.

According to Variety, a deal has just been closed between Warner Bros. and the estate of Dark Shadows creator Dan Curtis. No word yet on who'll be writing / directing the feature, but rest assured that you'll soon be seeing Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins: Vampire.

Plus since the movie was inspired by a TV series that ran for over 1,200 episodes, I guess a few sequels might be possible. I've never seen the show, but Johnny Depp as a vampire? Sounds entertaining to me. More info on this one as it becomes available...

Source: Variety

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(1-19 of 19 posts) | Reply

JpPrewitt789 writes:
on Jul 27 2007 09:34 AM

It does sound cool, but being based on a soap opera, I have my doubts.

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bigbrother writes:
on Jul 27 2007 10:54 AM

Yeah I have seen that show with Jonathan Frid and an updated version with Ben Cross, both were heavily soap opera oriented. The original almost laughable so. It was kinda hilarious watching Vampires and Werewolves who are supposed to be intimidating doing the trademark soap gaze into nothingness like Joey off friends. I would have to think almost a complete re-imagining is in order.

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Gimy writes:
on Jul 27 2007 10:55 AM

haha, my mom and my uncle loved this series but i've never seen it. i'm guessing, the way they rave about it, it was big...BACK IN THE DAY. i saw the dvd cover one time and it looked riiiiiiiiiiiidiculously odd. like...michael jackson in his basement doing a vampire tv show. i'm all for this, ESPECIALLY because depp is in it. should be creepy weird...

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H Tht Hs N Vwls writes:
on Jul 27 2007 11:04 AM

I got a few seasons of this show on DVD for my mother. She's a huge fan and this news should please her to no end.

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dracus writes:
on Jul 27 2007 12:06 PM

In reply to this comment (#979542)
With Depp playing Barnabas Collins, I doubt very much that this will be your mother%u2019s Dark Shadows.

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Sadistik writes:
on Jul 27 2007 12:30 PM

Depp as a vampire?

I bet all of the Hot Topic kids are fingering themselves in anticipation.

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unbreakable_samurai writes:
on Jul 27 2007 12:38 PM

Depp as a vampire sounds pretty cool, hopefully they get a good director. But I hope he makes the Sin City sequel, The Rum Diaries and that Shantarm(however it's spelled)film first. Oh yeah and the Quixote film with Gilliam. They all sound even better.

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monkeytot writes:
on Jul 27 2007 12:58 PM

Depp as Barnabus?!!!??!? YES!!! This is great new for fan's of movies!!

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killermonkey8822 writes:
on Jul 27 2007 12:59 PM

i don't like the soap opera part of it all..... but i don't think they would make it a soap opera anyway... but Johnny Depp as a vampire does sound pretty cool.

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Metatron writes:
on Jul 27 2007 01:24 PM

Curious where they go with this.

My very vague memories of the series include a werewolf named Quentin and several witches including a pretty hot one called Angelique.

While the main story line was in the present, I also seem to remember an extended flashback to Barnabas' doings in the late 1800's.

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bigbrother writes:
on Jul 27 2007 02:34 PM

In reply to this comment (#980060)
Yeah, pluming my memory banks I remember the most successful storyline was where Barnabas and his love interest are actually starcrossed lovers who meet again after almost 200 years...very dracula-esque and they showed something about Angelique the witch also having her fate entwined with Barnabas because he had her burned at the stake or something and she ended up cursing him I think. It's got potential as long as they don't try to recapture the camp style acting of the original.

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randal1013 writes:
on Jul 27 2007 03:15 PM

i like the idea of johnny depp as a vampire. in fact, now that i think about it, why hasn't this happened sooner? not that i'm complaining. anyway, can't wait to see some previews for this one.

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iakobos writes:
on Jul 27 2007 06:07 PM

I vaguely, vaguely, vaguely remember watching %u201CDark Shadows%u201D when I was a little kid. I don%u2019t remember anything about the plot but that it involved vampires and witches or other classic monsters. The main thing I remember is my parents wouldn%u2019t let me watch it because they didn%u2019t like all the occult references.

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lostharvestmovie writes:
on Jul 27 2007 09:25 PM

i just ordered up a sh**load of vhs dark shadows episodes this past winter; i basically spent february watching episode after episode of the masterpiece that is dark shadows; i watched the show it a lot when i was really, really young... like 4... there were also 2 theatrical releases of Dark Shadows movies in the early/ mid 70s-- House of Dark Shadows and Night of Dark Shadows-- Dark Shadows is great, great stuff! Gothic, man, Gothic!

See my free weird multimedia fiction: www.lostharvest.com

(Reply to this)

lostharvestmovie writes:
on Jul 27 2007 09:31 PM

line 3: "i watched the show a lot..." of course

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talltales writes:
on Jul 27 2007 09:40 PM

I heard that Johnny Depp was also going to play Lucifer in "Lucifer, In the Beginning".

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unbreakable_samurai writes:
on Jul 28 2007 10:30 AM

In reply to this comment (#980393)
He did almost play a vampire in I Am Legend but had to drop out because of sceduling conflicts with Sweeny Todd.

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goodreel writes:
on Jul 28 2007 04:41 PM

It will be camp whether it is intentional or not, with the almost always-camp Johnny Depp, who is somewhat less frightening than a muppet.

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blindheart27 writes:
on Jul 28 2007 06:02 PM

I watched the original when I was a kid and still love to watch it know. However with all the special effects available now I'm hoping for something spectacular. And I think Depp will be a great Barnabus. I just wonder about the other characters whose p;aying them?

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