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

[Mary]

Jackie Earle Haley -- erk!!  Just no.  Sigh.  (JMHO!)  Never heard of Heathcote -- hope I can see her in something before the DS movie comes out.  If they do the kidnapping story just please don't make us listen to London Bridge is Falling Down every 5 minutes -- aaarrrgghhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!  LOL!

[Cousin_Barnabas]

But feel free to play Cobert's ''Josette's Music Box'' every 12 or so... Oh, yes, and integrate the main theme throughout.  Thank you!   

[Phil]

Haley's a shock to the system in a couple ways: he's not only a departure from the expected Willie "type" (though certainly a logical progression of a Karlen-Fyfe-Haley continuum), but he's physically out of place in the stylized, plastic "Burtonverse" we've gotten used to. This could (along with a starving Johnny Depp) be an indication of where the style of this film is going.

In terms of the role's essence, Haley can do sleazy and he can do sympathetic (anyone seen Little Children?), so the casting makes a kind of perfect sense. But yes, definitely a surprise.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

a starving Johnny Depp

Many reports are saying Depp's goal is to go down to 10 stone/140 pounds. He's hardly overweight as it is, so I would imagine that would mean that he is going for something akin to James Marsters' look as Spike on Buffy/Angel. If so, at least that wouldn't be too drastic a weight loss...

In terms of the role's essence, Haley can do sleazy and he can do sympathetic (anyone seen Little Children?), so the casting makes a kind of perfect sense.

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what he'll do with Willie. Well, if he is indeed cast. At this point we still need to keep in mind that both actors are in talks for their roles - they haven't actually been cast.

[VictoriaWintersCollins]

I'm a huge fan of JEH, so this is an excellent casting choice.


Not familiar with the  young lady though, will keep my fingers crossed for Juliet Laudau to be cast as the Doctor.

But something tells me that Burton's GF Helena Bonham Carter will snatch up that part.

[jimbo]

Not sure why the writer of this article believes or expects that Seth Grahame-Smith will provide a comedic touch to the story. I certainly hope that won't be the case.

http://screenrant.com/tim-burton-dark-shadows-jackie-earle-haley-bella-heathcote-sandy-99616/

[Mysterious Benefactor]

He seems to think that simply based on Burton's previous track record. And many of us have feared what Burton might do simply based on his track record (hello, dancing skeletons and clowns nightmare ). And some of Burton's comments did little to squelch that fear (chiefly his infamous flies comment). But I'm still trying to keep in mind that not all of Burton's films are "intentionally hammy and tongue-in-cheek," as the writer puts it. Though even that is hard when you have someone like Richard Zanuck saying the film will be "very funny" (though at least that remark was back when John August was writing the script).

If indeed there are comedic touches, I'm hoping they're limited to Barnabas finding himself in a world that's completely alien to him and having to deal with 21st century technology, and that such dealings are kept to a minimum. One could even hope that such scenes might even end up on the cutting room floor. But that might be too much to hope for considering even Jim Pierson has said that they specifically want to show Barn dealing in such situations.

The main thing I'm trying to take away from that article is that the writer describes both of Seth Grahame-Smith's books as "not campy," which only confirms how some forum members have also described his books. And that's exactly what I want to hear with regard to his writing style...

[jimbo]

I agree MB. I hope the comedic portions of the film are restricted to small things like Barnabas trying to use a cell phone etc... but not to take away from the predominant drama element of the movie. I am still concerned by Zanuck's comments. Maybe he saw dancing skeletons when he said that the movie will be very funny. Hopefully Seth has changed that story direction.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

One other thing to consider with regard to any potentially funny moments in the script is that oftentimes a movie will turn out differently than the script will suggest. Scenes that seem to work well on paper don't always translate well once they're shot. Once the film is edited they can slow down the other elements of the film or they can look completely out of place, and so they don't actually make it into the completed film. I've lost track of how many times I've seen comments in DVD extras from directors who've said they really loved such scenes and really wished they could have made the final cut, but in the end including them would have been detrimental to their films...

[arashi]

But something tells me that Burton's GF Helena Bonham Carter will snatch up that part.

I think HBC has been quoted elsewhere as saying she wouldn't be in DS.

[jimbo]

Eva Green is Angelique

http://www.deadline.com/2011/02/ultimate-bond-girl-eva-green-gets-dark-shadows-lead/

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Very interesting - both the actress, who definitely has the right amount of sex appeal to portray Ang, and the fact that Ang will be featured in the film...

[arashi]

Sweet! I could not be happier with that casting.

[jimbo]

I like the choice too. The article says that she landed the role and yet it also says she is in negotiations for the role as other sites are reporting.

[madscntst]

Re. the Johnny diet rumor, I wouldn't put too much stock in that.  It is a tabloid report, and we are constantly hearing complete fabrications, such as the recent rumor that he bought a place in Venice (eventually denied by his publicist).  IF Johnny wants to shed a few pounds (and I'm not saying that he does), it would probably just be to return to his usual weight- he admitted to "putting on a few pounds" for The Tourist, and was probably still a bit thicker for Pirates.  Still, he has never considered himself to be a real "method" actor, and has never done the extreme weight fluctuations that Christian Bale has done.  We've seen several paparazzi shots from within the past week, and he is looking very healthy and fit.

Re. Jackie Earle Haley, I did see Little Children, and thought he was amazing in that, walking a fine line between being despicable and sympathetic (didn't he get an Oscar nomination for that one?).  I have really loved him in so many things: Breaking Away, Watchmen, Human Target (TV show that I watched several episodes of).  I'm pretty psyched about his casting.

Re. Eva Green, I don't know much about her but I remember thinking she was pretty hot in Casino Royale.  I'll bet she could be a fiery Angelique!

Re. the comedy aspect, I hope I am right in that I am still envisioning an atmosphere along the lines of Sleepy Hollow or Sweeney Todd, where there are some funny lines, but nothing slapstick or overtly knee-slapping comedy.  Both films were definitely able to hold a menacing vibe.

Re. Helena Bonham Carter, I also vaguely seem to recall something about her denying she'd be in DS, but I can't swear to that, and I suppose I wouldn't be totally shocked if she did get a role, lol. 

I'm hoping to continue hearing more casting news- it seems like now is the time when the cast will start to fall into place 

Cathy