Johnny Depp's Dark Shadows Film

[QuasarVM]

I gotta admit: the challenge is going to be making Barnaba's introduction fresh again, after it's already been filmed at least three times already! (Not counting the CW remake that never aired.)

Then again, most of the intended audience has never seen the older versions, so it will be all new to them!

I'm afraid that's what they'll be counting on. I'm not thrilled with seeing the Barnabas resurrection/and Maggie Evans story again...but maybe they'll throw in some surprises and film it in a stylish way where it will be interesting.

I've always been impressed with Depp's range as an actor, so I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do with Barnabas.

 

[RJDiogenes]

There's no market for a continuation. That was over forty years ago. Nobody but us old coots remembers how the old series ended, or what it was actually about. You need a movie that everybody can enjoy, not just hardcore fans with good memories!

Exactly!

It wouldn't have to be old hardcore fans. They could just make a new movie or series, with new characters and a new storyline, that has the original show as part of the history; sort of like TNG.

 

[Greg Cox]

But the appeal of the series is not its universe, it's the characters: Barnabas, Quentin, Dr. Hoffman, Angelique, etc. If you're going to do a DARK SHADOWS movie, that's the movie. Otherwise you're just doing a horror movie set in a small town in Maine-with lots of confusing references to a tv show that most people don't remember all that well.

And, again, what would be gained by making it a sequel to a show that aired forty years ago? The average moviegoer doesn't know the history anyway. It's easier, and more accessible, just to retell the story for a new generation.

 

[js]

Another fan of the 90's version here. Definitely looking forward to a Tim Burton/Johnny Depp version whenever they get around to making it. Presumably Helena Bonham Carter will play Dr. Hoffman - a shame as in her younger days I think she'd have made a cool Angelique.

 

[Jan]

And, again, what would be gained by making it a sequel to a show that aired forty years ago? The average moviegoer doesn't know the history anyway. It's easier, and more accessible, just to retell the story for a new generation.

If done properly, I think that might be a cool idea. The right writer could generate new characters and Barnabas, the cousin from England could arrive again. The ageless characters like Barnabas, Angelique and Quenton could remain themselves but other, present day characters could be created.

There could be plenty of nods to those of us who remember other incarnations of the show but, done right, they wouldn't need to alienate modern viewers.

Remember how one of the charms of the original soap was the repertory style of the actors, many of whom played many characters as the story wove in and out of time. I'd love to see that again and maybe there could be cameos by the original actors. I've seen both Lara Parker and Katherine Leigh Scott in the last few years and they're both still beautiful and recognizable.

Jan

 

[QuasarVM]

But the appeal of the series is not its universe, it's the characters: Barnabas, Quentin, Dr. Hoffman, Angelique, etc. If you're going to do a DARK SHADOWS movie, that's the movie. Otherwise you're just doing a horror movie set in a small town in Maine-with lots of confusing references to a tv show that most people don't remember all that well.

And, again, what would be gained by making it a sequel to a show that aired forty years ago? The average moviegoer doesn't know the history anyway. It's easier, and more accessible, just to retell the story for a new generation.

And, they already tried that with the 1895 Parallel Time episodes with Bramwell, Catherine, Etc...people lost interest and the series was cancelled.

So, Greg is right -- gotta at least start off with the characters we know and the ones that made the series a success.

 

[QuasarVM]

Another fan of the 90's version here. Definitely looking forward to a Tim Burton/Johnny Depp version whenever they get around to making it. Presumably Helena Bonham Carter will play Dr. Hoffman - a shame as in her younger days I think she'd have made a cool Angelique.

Carter would make a great Julia Hoffman!

 

[RJDiogenes]

But the appeal of the series is not its universe, it's the characters: Barnabas, Quentin, Dr. Hoffman, Angelique, etc. If you're going to do a DARK SHADOWS movie, that's the movie. Otherwise you're just doing a horror movie set in a small town in Maine-with lots of confusing references to a tv show that most people don't remember all that well.

And, again, what would be gained by making it a sequel to a show that aired forty years ago? The average moviegoer doesn't know the history anyway. It's easier, and more accessible, just to retell the story for a new generation.

New characters can be created that are just as compelling, as was done with TNG. The original story has already been done three or four times. It's just my personal feeling that it's better to add to something than endlessly remake it.

 

[Greg Cox]

But the appeal of the series is not its universe, it's the characters: Barnabas, Quentin, Dr. Hoffman, Angelique, etc. If you're going to do a DARK SHADOWS movie, that's the movie. Otherwise you're just doing a horror movie set in a small town in Maine-with lots of confusing references to a tv show that most people don't remember all that well.

And, again, what would be gained by making it a sequel to a show that aired forty years ago? The average moviegoer doesn't know the history anyway. It's easier, and more accessible, just to retell the story for a new generation.

New characters can be created that are just as compelling, as was done with TNG. The original story has already been done three or four times. It's just my personal feeling that it's better to add to something than endlessly remake it.

I guess I still don't see the advantage of making it a continuation. For a story standpoint, not to mention a marketing one, it seems like more trouble than it's worth. And it's not like there are thousands of people out there wondering what happened next. And fans who do remember DARK SHADOWS are going to want Barnabas and company.

Then again, I've never understood people's aversion to remakes. Good stories get retold all the time; that's what makes them classics. You don't hear opera fans complaining, "What? Madame Butterfly again? Why can't they do a sequel instead?"

Jude Law is doing Hamlet on Broadway now. Should it have been a continuation instead?

 

[Kegg]

Eh. Burton, Depp, some supernatural TV show I've never heard of, it's all (probably) good unless it sucks. Burton does have a knack for kitschy, quirky takes on classic Gothic tropes, so I'm sure there's a kernel of a good movie in there.

Then again, I've never understood people's aversion to remakes. Good stories get retold all the time; that's what makes them classics. You don't hear opera fans complaining, "What? Madame Butterfly again? Why can't they do a sequel instead?"

In fairness, not a single one of us was actually alive when Puccini decided to adapt the then-successful stage play as an opera.

But yeah, hell, even Sophocles' Oedipus was at least the second Greek tragedy based on the character (though the others don't survive) and neither were the origin of that story. Even still, huzzah for Stravinsky's version!

 

[Greg Cox]

Eh. Burton, Depp, some supernatural TV show I've never heard of, it's all (probably) good unless it sucks. Burton does have a knack for kitschy, quirky takes on classic Gothic tropes, so I'm sure there's a kernel of a good movie in there.

Then again, I've never understood people's aversion to remakes. Good stories get retold all the time; that's what makes them classics. You don't hear opera fans complaining, "What? Madame Butterfly again? Why can't they do a sequel instead?"

In fairness, not a single one of us was actually alive when Puccini decided to adapt the then-successful stage play as an opera.

I was thinking more of the way that Madame Butterfly or Carmen or Hamlet or whatever is constantly being restaged and reinvented, year after year, yet modern audiences don't insist that they would rather see Macbeth: The Next Generation!

I've seen at least six versions of A Midsummer's Night Dream in my lifetime. What's one more take on DARK SHADOWS?

(Speaking of which, anybody else remember that Off-Broadway version of DARK SHADOWS that played in New York back in the late eighties?)

 

[RJDiogenes]

I guess I still don't see the advantage of making it a continuation. For a story standpoint, not to mention a marketing one, it seems like more trouble than it's worth. And it's not like there are thousands of people out there wondering what happened next. And fans who do remember DARK SHADOWS are going to want Barnabas and company.

What's the advantage of making TNG? What's the advantage of the All-New, All-Different X-Men? What's the advantage of Son Of Frankenstein? The advantage is expanding upon something rather than doing the same thing over again-- usually in a way that conflicts with the charm (and the memories) of the original. And there probably are thousands of people wondering what goes on in Collinsport these days.

Then again, I've never understood people's aversion to remakes. Good stories get retold all the time; that's what makes them classics. You don't hear opera fans complaining, "What? Madame Butterfly again? Why can't they do a sequel instead?"

Technically this is true. But in the case of movies and TV shows, the actors who helped create the characters and the unique aesthetics become part of the whole; it's not impossible to get past it, but in most cases it probably shouldn't even be tried.

Jude Law is doing Hamlet on Broadway now. Should it have been a continuation instead?

Sequels to classics are always an interesting exercise.

 

[Kegg]

I was thinking more of the way that Madame Butterfly or Carmen or Hamlet or whatever is constantly being restaged and reinvented, year after year, yet modern audiences don't insist that they would rather see Macbeth: The Next Generation!

Well, that's different. They're not new renditions, they're just new interpretations of the same script.

With the exception of rare cases like Gus Van Sant's Psycho, a remake doesn't just take the original teleplay an repeat it verbatim with new actors. There are changes to the characters, story, even the premise - so I wouldn't find them quite comparable.

 

[KB24]

How many years have they been saying this? I think Depp is a good fit, and Burton's styles in Sleepy Hollow would fit for Dark Shadows. OF course, I could picture the pair going freaky and camp ala Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, too. I don't see them ever actually making a DS film, and in some ways, I'd rather a less bizarre independent horror company buy them out and make a faithful, quieter picture. They wouldn't have the over the top and star pressures as Depp and Burton.

DO they have their own production company together? Why can't they have others in their team do DS if they're so busy? Why couldn't they just have some input and finance the DS pilot that was made a few years ago but never picked up? Much as I'd like to see a big screen Dark Shadows, I think its number of characters and slow storylines would work better in a limit series styling.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Yeah, like Star Trek, Dark Shadows works better as a series.

 

[QuasarVM]

How many years have they been saying this? I think Depp is a good fit, and Burton's styles in Sleepy Hollow would fit for Dark Shadows. OF course, I could picture the pair going freaky and camp ala Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, too. I don't see them ever actually making a DS film, and in some ways, I'd rather a less bizarre independent horror company buy them out and make a faithful, quieter picture. They wouldn't have the over the top and star pressures as Depp and Burton.

DO they have their own production company together? Why can't they have others in their team do DS if they're so busy? Why couldn't they just have some input and finance the DS pilot that was made a few years ago but never picked up? Much as I'd like to see a big screen Dark Shadows, I think its number of characters and slow storylines would work better in a limit series styling.

Good post, KB -- I think you're pretty much right on with this.

I wouldn't mind Depp as Barnabas though if he were to make a film true to the series...if he went weird and wacky a la' Charlie and The Chocolate Factory I'd hate the film.

I think TV is definitely the way to go. If it were on Fox, I think it would have a chance...the big three networks would never have the patience to give it a fair shot.

Just look at what they did to Jericho...

 

[KB24]

Thanks QVM.

I don't think any of the big networks would give a serious horror styled series a chance. Then again, now that vamps are everywhere, one of the premium channels could take a stab. Who had the 91 revivial and let it go undone? And was it UPN or the Wb that passed on the new pilot. Not that it matters since the combo CW has the Vampire Diaries now.

Frankly I think somebody should begin rerunning the original series again. There's certainly a loyal audience for it, and these new vamp fans might tune in. If renewed interest in the original was hyped again, maybe Depp would get his butt in gear. I know I can afford to get all the DVD sets, and it isn't on anywhere now. I still have my VHS!

I don't doubt their sincerity on the project, but if they haven't made it by now, Burton isn't going to.

 

[QuasarVM]

Yes, but unfortunately, he owns the rights...so if he doesn't do anything with it it will just remain in limbo...or "development hell" as they call it...at least until his option on the property runs out (and who knows how long that is).

 

[Harvey]

With the exception of rare cases like Gus Van Sant's Psycho, a remake doesn't just take the original teleplay an repeat it verbatim with new actors. There are changes to the characters, story, even the premise - so I wouldn't find them quite comparable.

Funny Games U.S. and the second version of 12 Angry Men are the only two other examples of scripts that were remade verbatim that I can remember. Unless there's a wealth of other examples out there, it's definitely extremely rare that filmed remakes do this.

 

[GhostFaceSaint]

I don't expect to see Dark Shadows any time soon because Berton is releasing another gothic film with "Alice in Wonderland" staring among others Johnny Depp, the film is going to be massive since it includes "Through the Looking Glass" in the film. Berton just did another kids movie with "Coraline" and the other gothic film "Sweeny Todd", he will probably want to take a break from that genre to do something else sadly.

...But I would live to see him jump on Dark Shadows right away anyway...