Saturday, July 23, 2011

Comic-Con Announces Classic Cast Movie Cameos

Friday's classic Dark Shadows panel at San Diego's Comic-Con revealed some exciting news for the upcoming Dark Shadows feature film, with the confirmation that four actors from the original series have filmed cameo appearances. Jonathan Frid (Barnabas Collins), Lara Parker (Angelique), David Selby (Quentin Collins) and Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans) all recently flew to England and spent three days on set at Pinewood Studios.

At the panel, Lara and Kathryn were enthusiastic about the experience, revealing that actresses Helena Bonham Carter (Dr. Julia Hoffman) and Michelle Pfeiffer (Elizabeth Collins Stoddard) are hooked on watching the original episodes of the show on DVD. Speaking to the ShadowGram newsletter, Lara says: "We were treated like royalty... when Johnny [Depp] met Jonathan [Frid], he said, 'We wouldn't be here if not for you.'" ShadowGram has also confirmed that Danny Elfman's score for the film will include the original Dark Shadows theme tune by Robert Cobert.

At the same time, Jim Pierson (marketing director for Dan Curtis Productions and consulting producer on the new film) revealed that the original Dark Shadows movies, House of Dark Shadows and Night of Dark Shadows, are finally coming to DVD, following recent hints, and that Night of Dark Shadows will feature a full restoration of Dan Curtis' 129 minute director's cut.

Night of Dark Shadows was heavily edited for release and the original version was missing for many years, until archivist Darren Gross discovered the complete film elements in 1998. The recovered version lacks a full soundtrack, however, so several original actors have been enlisted in recent years to re-record lost dialogue. "While there are still T's to be crossed and I's to be dotted, it's looking very solid," says Darren. "I'm delighted that after all these years of work, it's looking like it will finally see the light of day. There's much work to be done yet, and I can't wait to get started."

10 comments:

John said...

Great news. Do you think they can find the deleted scenes from House of Dark Shadows and insert them, too?

StuartM said...

The deleted scenes from House have never surfaced. It's believed that they were binned back in the 1970s.

Chad Moore said...

So excited!!

Debjorgo said...

Thanks for the great photo. I still don't know which one of these girls I love the most. I tend to like the good girl, especially when they are so gorgeous. But what an evil temptation this bad girl was/is. They're both are looking great.

Oh yeah, good to see David too. (Moving in on Frid's women again, I see.)

Unknown said...

It just gets better and better! I am so glad they put some of my favorite classic DS cast members in the new film.

dnmanor said...

Perhaps it's my own age, having been a fan of the show since I was a young boy, but Kathryn Leigh Scott is more beautiful than ever in that photo.

lonn4670 said...

Glad to hear that Robert Cobert's classic Dark Shadows theme is going to be a part of the new film!!!

Efe X said...

It seems like Tim Burton is gonna do justice to the show afterall.

I lost my faith in him after his recent films, there used to be a time he was so creative (pre-CGI craze) so hopefully this one will be a visit to the old school Burton.

1047BOB said...

Robert Cobert's music was a key element in the success of Dark Shadows. Danny Elfman is no slouch but he would do well to take some cues from Cobert...pun intended.

CherylA said...

I can't wait to see it! I love Johnny Depp and Tim Burton, and I have just finished watching the entire Dark Shadows series on DVD since I was a kid when the original was on television.