Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Movie Casting Begins

Variety reports that casting is underway for Tim Burton's Dark Shadows movie, with Australian actress Bella Heathcote in discussions to play the role of heroine Victoria Winters, first portrayed by Alexandra Moltke. Heathcote's previous credits include the films Acolytes and Beneath Hill 60, plus a stint on soap opera Neighbours. Most recently, she has been cast to appear alongside Justin Timberlake in Now.

Interestingly, the character of Victoria is described as "a waitress whom [Barnabas] Collins takes a shine to because of her resemblance to his long-lost love", which if accurate, suggests that this version of Victoria will combine elements of Maggie Evans' character more directly than in previous Dark Shadows remakes.

The same article also confirms that Dark Shadows is slated for a 2012 release and that Christi Dembrowski is working on the film as a producer, alongside the previously announced Richard Zanuck and David Kennedy. To read the full piece, click here.

Elsewhere, on Deadline Hollywood, columnist Mike Fleming says that Jackie Earle Haley is the contender for the role of Barnabas' drifter servant Willie Loomis, originally played by John Karlen. Haley is probably best known for playing Freddy Krueger in the recent remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street, along with roles in Shutter Island and the comic book adaptation Watchmen. To read the full article, click here.

9 comments:

Chad Moore said...

I'm open to changing things around a bit, however I don't know if I can swallow the idea of Victoria being a waitress instead of a governess.

Unknown said...

I agree. I really wish they were sticking with the original setup as Dan Curtis had it. C'mon, guys. There are too many of us left who remember it in its heyday for you to go effing around with it. We're the ones who are going to be watching it more than anyone else, let's remember.

Debjorgo said...

If she's a waitress who looks like Josette, why not just call her Maggie and get rid of the Victoria charactor.

Im rewatching the original series now. Im on Collection 1, epi 239. Bella Heathcote looks like she would be okay as Maggie and could pull off the elegant Josette.

I hope they don't have two Josettes in the same time period again like they did in the revival series.

Freddy Krueger as Willie? Are we sure Depp didn't rush home to watch the Ben Cross version? I like Jackie Earle Haley on Human Target, but as Willie.... Save him for Nicholas Blair.

Debjorgo said...

I like the link photo to this blog on the Dark Shadows Journel page. Is this an official photo or something that's been doctored up, index finger ring and all.

Anonymous said...

"I hope they don't have two Josettes in the same time period again like they did in the revival series."

No, you must be thinking of the original series. There were NOT two Josette's in the same time period. Victoria was different than Josette. I actually like the fact that it was Victoria who was Josette's reincarnation and NOT Maggie. And getting rid of the Victoria character and replacing her with Maggie is a very silly idea in my opinion. Victoria is the one who started the series. We first see her on the train and it is HER journey we are interested in seeing, the classic Gothic heroine, not some waitress.

I think this Bella is too young to be Maggie or Victoria. She should be cast as Carolyn instead.

"Are we sure Depp didn't rush home to watch the Ben Cross version?"

There's not need to knock the revival series. Now, I agree with you about this bad cast choice. This guy should NOT be playing Willie.

Anthony said...

If she's a waitress, they might as well make her Maggie. I hope Maggie is the Josette reincarnation and not Vicky like in the 91 revival. I didn't like how they threw Maggie on the sidelines in that one.

Debjorgo said...

Watch the revival series again, StrangePara. Josette and Vicky were hugging each other. "I feel like we're the same person from different times". "I was thinking that too". Hug, hug, hug. You may want to read up on what reincarnation means.

I guess you lost interest when Vicky left the cast. I was never that much of a fan. I hated when Barnabus switched his attention to her.

I did suggest getting rid of Vicky's character for the shock value. Between her and Maggie, it would be Maggie every time.

I wasn't knocking the revival, just saying they made some bad decisions, in my opinion.

Anonymous said...

I agree--much as I liked the 1991 revival series, I never liked Vicki being Josette's double. It should have been Maggie. Having Vicki look just like Josette when she went to 1790 was jarring. I also think they need to develop the characters of Maggie and Carolyn--both of whom were much more interesting than Vicki. (No offense to either Alexandra Moltke or Joanna Going--both lovely ladies.) But Maggie and Carolyn both had an "edge". Maybe the newest Vicki WILL have some depth. I hope so. And no, I don't think Bella Heathcote is too young to play Vicki. StrangeParadise said she would make a better Carolyn?? I never thought of Carolyn as being much younger than either Vicki or Maggie...if anything, only about 3 years.

So, I'm fine with the casting for the girls in the film. It's just Jackie Earle Haley who I don't think is right. I think Willie should be young, handsome, and a charming con-man. They couldn't find someone with the good looks of John Karlen or Matt Czuchry? I know I sound shallow, but come on. This is soap opera and I want to look at beautiful people. If I want to see the "uglies" I can look out the window! :-)

StuartM said...

No Deb, the homepage picture isn't a studio shot of Johnny as Barnabas, it's from Sleepy Hollow. Interestingly, he wore an oynx ring for that film, so perhaps Barnabas was in his sights even then.