Thursday, September 11, 2008

Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins? Be still my vampire-lovin' heart!!

Oh, how did I miss this article in Variety about Johnny Depp playing the lead role in the upcoming Dark Shadows movie?

DARK SHADOWS was a spooky Gothic soap opera from the late 60's-early 70's - a true cult classic. I used to watch it in reruns at 4pm every afternoon when I was a kid, and it was just the coolest!! The lonely, brooding vampire Barnabas Collins, the creepy old house of Collinwood on the coast of Maine, waves crashing on the shore, ghosts, witches, werewolves, secret crypts, fog enshrouded woods - oh, it was every young vampire lovers dream, long before Anne Rice ever put pen to paper.

The idea that Johnny Depp will star in the remake is just TOO fabulous! I cannot wait to see what he does with the role. I particularly loved reading this:

Depp has said in interviews that he has always been obsessed with "Dark Shadows" and had, as a child, wanted to be Barnabas Collins, the vampire patriarch of the series. The role was originated by Jonathan Frid.
See, Johnny? I knew it - we're kindred spirits, after all. :-)

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

This was my favorite after school show - I just rented the first part of the series and it still is great!

Terri Garey said...

Wasn't it just something special? I am just so thrilled to know that it isn't 'dead' yet! LOL

And Johnny as Barnabas? That's like...take a hot fudge sundae and turn it into a double hot fudge, triple banana split with nuts on top!

(Gee, I must be hungry!) :-)

Anonymous said...

Grayson Hall bio (Dr Hoffman and Magda) is available with lots of juicy behind the scenes info on Dark Shadows, visit

www.graysonhall.net

Terri Garey said...

Poor Dr. Hoffman... I always felt so sorry for her. Shrink to a vampire would could never love her... she was an interesting character.

Asylumgirl said...

No frickin' way! I had not heard this. I love Johnny Depp and I love Dark Shadows. What could be cooler than the two of them together. Did you ever watch the remade version. I really liked it too.
Like you, I can't wait to see what he does with the role. With Johnny Depp, there's really no telling, but I know it will be amazing!

Deidre

Terri Garey said...

Hi Deirdre! I was so psyched to hear this - Johnny Depp as Barnabas is like a dream come true. I love it how he takes chances and picks unusual roles - I think this one will go on my keeper shelf!

Anonymous said...

Jonathan Frid made the pitiable Barnabas Collins a legend. No other vampire has so stirred my undead heart. A gentleman vamp with soul...Romantic and haunted-- What more could you ask for? Darkly, broodingly handsome for a guy nearly 200 years young! Plus, he cut a dashing figure, didn't he? He was a heartbreaker, that suave charmer, Barnabas Collins. As portrayed by the fine, fine, velvety-voiced Mr. Frid, he will forever epitomize the everyman vampire searching against all hope for his humanity and lost love. The gifted Johnny Depp will do Barnabas justice because he loved this character. As for me, I've loved Barnabas since the first day I saw him on Dark Shadows! I cannot wait to see Mr. Depp's interpretation. Long live Barnabas!

Terri Garey said...

Yes, Jonathan Frid brought something very special to the role of Barnabas Collins - he was mesmerizing! I always wanted a ring like the one he always wore on his index finger...

Anonymous said...

Depp is such a world class talent,can pick any role and make it his own.One of the true greatest actors of our time.

Judy said...

I used to live for Dark Shadows after school as a kid. I loved Barnabas. Mr. Frid was excellent in that role and when I heard my favorite actor of all time was going to play Barnabas I was overjoyed and excited. I can't wait till that movie comes out and I want to be first in line. That was the ulitmate in good news.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I am blown away at the news of Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins. Dark Shadows was(is) my favorite show of all time. Depp is one of my favorite actors and I am thrilled. It is really funny, as just yesterday, I order the DVD series of the latest show from Blockbuster and googled the show to explain to a friend what is was. I almost had a heart attack from pure joy at the news. I'm grinning from ear to ear.

Terri Garey said...

I wish they'd get to filming! I just read where they'll begin as soon as Johnny finishes his Alice in Wonderland movie with Tim Burton, which they're working on now.

Perfect timing for a classic vampire movie, with all this Twilight mania going on. Johnny will blow those teenage vamps out of the water!

Anonymous said...

WOW! johnny depp as barnamas collins he is a splended actor and i know johnny depp will make the perfect barnamas collins of dark shadows i can't wait for the movie!!!