Tim Burton Talks Dark Shadows

In an interview with MTV's Movie Blog, director Tim Burton has touched briefly on the development of the new Dark Shadows feature film. "I'm working on the script... It's been kind of a long time coming, but I think I'm getting a script that I like. I don't really like talking because I'm not really sure what's happening yet but I'm excited about it. I think, yes, finally for me, it's getting to be the right tone."

Dark Shadows is due to begin filming in April 2011, starring Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins. To read the full interview, which also discusses Burton's other upcoming projects Frankenweenie and The Addams Family, click here.

News in Brief

• The 2011 Monsterpalooza convention is to feature a Dark Shadows cast reunion, with actors Jerry Lacy (Trask), Lara Parker (Angelique) Christopher Pennock (Jeb) and Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie) set to appear. The event takes place at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel, in Burbank, California on April 8-10. For more information, visit the event's website.
• David Selby (Quentin) was one of the celebrities taking part in the Los Angeles Memory Walk on November 7; The annual charity event raises funds for the Alzheimer's Association.
• Journalist Ed Gross, who has written extensively about Dark Shadows, has launched a new blog devoted to the series. Blog of Dark Shadows includes features and interviews, including Jim Pierson talking about his role as consulting producer on the new Dark Shadows feature film. To pay a visit, click here.

Addison Powell: 1921-2010

It is with sadness that we report the death of actor Addison Powell, who died in Vermont on November 8 at the age of 89. Addison played Dr. Eric Lang, Dark Shadows' first bona fide mad scientist in 1968, along with occasional appearances the ghost of Jeremiah Collins, Judge Matigan in 1795 and Judge Wiley in 1840.

His long career on stage and screen included roles in the films Three Days of the Condor, with Robert Redford, and The Thomas Crown Affair, plus television roles in The Adams Chronicles, The Mod Squad and latterly War & Remembrance, which reunited him with Dark Shadows creator Dan Curtis. He also featured as the Gorton fisherman in a long-running series of commercials for Gorton's during the 1980s.

The Burlington Free Press has published an intimate obituary, which can be seenhere. Thanks to regular site reader John Hall for writing in with the news.

A New Look

Regular readers will notice that this blog has received a facelift, with a new design and features, to coincide with the latest announcement about the forthcoming Dark Shadows feature film.

You can also now follow the blog, using the panel in the right sidebar, and keep abreast of the most recent updates, plus share news stories on Twitter, Facebook and by email, using the buttons below. The coming months promise to be a truly exciting time for the world of Dark Shadows, and the Dark Shadows News Page will continue to chart all the latest developments.

Dark Shadows Movie to Begin Filming in April

After a number of false starts, Deadline Hollywood reports that the new Dark Shadows feature film is finally due to go before the cameras in April 2011, with Tim Burton confirmed to direct. Johnny Depp will play Barnabas Collins, with a script by Seth Grahame-Smith.

We'll continue to report on the development of the project in the coming months, but suffice to say, it looks like Dark Shadows will be celebrating its 45th anniversary in grand style.

Win a Signed Script!

Big Finish Productions have just released their latest Dark Shadows audio drama, The Doll House, starring Marie Wallace as Jenny Collins and Terry Crawford as Beth Chavez. To celebrate, we have an original script from the production to give away, signed by both actresses! For your chance to win, just answer this simple question:

Which member of the Collins family was Jenny married to?

Send your answer, along with your name and postal address to webmaster@collinwood.net before November 30. The Doll House is available on CD and download from the Big Finish website.