Dec 8 2009Burton, Depp Adapting Soap Opera
Looks like Johnny Depp will continue paying off his life debt to Tim Burton in the only payment Burton will accept: creepy weirdo performances. Sci Fi Wire has confirmed Depp will star in yet another of the director's projects, this time taking the role of vampire Barnabas Collins in an adaptation of Dark Shadows, based on the 1960s gothic, Dracula-filled soap opera of the same name.
Hmm, combining vampires and soap opera-level ridiculous melodrama... Yes, despite all odds, I think that could indeed prove itself a popular concept.
A daytime soap with vampires seems so quaint now, though, doesn't it? I'm pretty sure soap operas are no longer allowed on the air without at least one vampire, several ghosts, and this happening at least once a year.
Reader Comments
1. MarsHottentot - December 8, 2009 12:00 PM
Good to see Burton branch out from his usual goth-tinged... NEVERMIND!
2. Delgo - December 8, 2009 12:14 PM
As predictable as a Nickleback song
3. ladym00s - December 8, 2009 1:01 PM
Dark Shadows was THE BOMB! If you actually watch a story arc of that show, it's super enrapturing. I think Depp will pull off Barnabus well, though I am worried about the other characters and I'm getting sick of Burton being crazy and "unique".
I guess this is a final confirmation but I've known this was in pre-prod. for like 2 years... wtf?
4. DrNecropolis - December 8, 2009 1:18 PM
Hell yeah! Dark Shadows FTW, used to watch it during the summer on Sci Fi Channel when i was in High School
5. frank - December 9, 2009 5:18 AM
My levels of disinterest are phenomenal!
6. Joe - December 9, 2009 11:58 AM
Yes, most kiddies won't know what Dark Shadows is, but it was done in the mid 60's and quite different - gothic, horror themed, soap opera that was quite different than anything else. Looking back it may been seen as campy, but it was quite entertaining.
Don't know how it will turn out (remakes tends to be very hit or miss), but if you want a treat, check it out. As was mentioned, the story arc is good.
Sure, there are no gory chest explosions, or nekkid women running around, but hey, you don't need that to be entertained. This show was hugely popular with women.
I won't say it was a precursor to "Twilight", but it does show that point that "horrama" (horror+drama), if done right, has enormous potential to garner a female audience.
Anyway, always nice to see a shout out to Dark Shadows.
7. Tuppy - December 9, 2009 1:24 PM
Everything Johnny Depp has ever done in his entire life has been a creepy weirdo performance.
8. Remegy - December 9, 2009 5:49 PM
Did he just say his last name was CULLEN? O.o
Coincidence; no!
9. UGG Schuhe - December 12, 2009 7:12 AM
excellent.
http://www.6inchboot.com/
10. boxerthehorse - December 15, 2009 10:17 AM
Maybe he'll cast an even more skeletal actress in this and eventually leave his bone bag helen for her...either way, my wife will be happy that this is happening,..... because she has bad taste.