Update: Empire has a couple of new behind-the-scenes looks at “Dark Shadows.” Check them out below.
This is how the game works we suppose. Last week, some dodgy set photos surfaced of Johnny Depp in costume and make-up on the set of Tim Burton‘s “Dark Shadows” and now, the first official still from the film has dropped over at EW.
It’s a helluva tease, putting the film’s bigger name stars — Depp, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley — waaay off in the background, and the other cast members up front. But it’s a good taste of the gothic tinge that film will be carrying, even if Depp’s haircut seems borrowed from Herman Munster. “Dark Shadows” is a big screen adaptation of the cult ‘60s show that centers on the playboy Barnabas (Depp) who breaks the heart of the witch Angelique Brouchard (Green) in 1752, and in her fury, she turns him into a vampire and buries him alive. When he reawakens in 1972, he returns to Collinwood Manor to find his estate and family in ruins. In addition to co-starring Bella Heathcote, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Chloe Moretz and Jonny Lee Miller, four original cast members are said to be gearing up for cameos and possibly Alice Cooper as well.
But this isn’t just another lark for Depp who has a penchant for playing dress up in oddball roles — he’s been a fan for a long time. “I do remember, very vividly, practically sprinting home from school in the afternoon to see Jonathan Frid play Barnabas Collins,” the actor tells EW. “Even then, at that age, I knew — this has got to be weird.”
“Dark Shadows” hits theaters on May 11, 2012 and it won’t be in 3D (thank god). Full image below.
