Attention for the upcoming, big-screen, adaptation of the ‘60s gothic soap-opera Dark Shadows has been steadily growing, and continues to do so; with more and more casting announcements being released all the time; with the latest news stating that Michelle Pfeiffer is currently in talks to take on a major role.
Pfeiffer’s role in the supernatural soap would be that of Elizabeth Collins Stoddard; a recluse who is the matriarch of the Collins family, but hasn’t left her mansion for a decade (since her husband disappeared); and she would be appearing alongside Bond girl Eva Green; as powerful witch Angelique; and Shutter Island’s Jackie Earle Haley; as conman Willie Loomis.
Dark Shadows would also reunite Pfeiffer with director Tim Burton (since they previously worked together on Batman Returns, where she delivered a memorable performance as Bat-villain/romantic interest Catwoman); a man well known for his gothic tendencies; who is once again choosing to work with longtime collaborator Johnny Depp (who has worked with Burton on no less than seven films, the last of which being Alice in Wonderland), and will likely place partner Helena Bonham Carter (the BAFTA winning star of The King’s Speech, who has also appeared in six Burton movies) in front of the lens.
Depp was a huge fan of the series as a child, and is now overjoyed at getting to play the character he was reportedly obsessed with as a youngster; a vampire named Barnabas Collins; whilst Bonham Carter hasn’t yet entered into negotiations, but is due to enter talks to appear as Dr. Julia Hoffman (a character who was at first a threat to Barnabas, but became an ally who, being an expert in rare blood disorders, hoped to cure his bloodlust).
There’s still little word on exactly what shape the plot will take, how Burton will cram such a large soap-opera arc into a two-hour movie, or how much of the show’s supernatural elements (from ghosts, and zombies, to time-travel and werewolves) will appear in the final cut, but it is known that Dark Shadows is due to begin filming in April, with an eye to releasing it sometime in 2012.
