Tim Burton to Direct Dark Shadows Movie?

It looks like the interweb has a line on Tim Burton’s next project, which may or may not come before the feature-length Frankenweenie movie he’s supposedly working on right now. Would you be surprised if I told you it’s based on a gothic soap opera that features vampires, werewolves, ghosts and zombies? I didn’t think so.

According to IESB, Burton is attached to direct Dark Shadows, an update of the classic TV series that first aired in the 60’s, and was later resurrected in the early 90’s. I have to admit, I’d never heard of it before now… it sounds like a more serious and dramatic version of The Addams Family or The Munsters. Johnny Depp’s production company is involved and word on the street is that he may headline the film as the vampire Barnabas Collins (played by Jonathan Frid in the original series). Although that’s yet to be confirmed, it stands to reason that wherever Burton goes, Depp won’t be far behind. John August (Big Fish, Corpse Bride, Charlie’s Angels) is currently writing the script. [film junk]