From Movie Web, which cites Variety:

Warner Bros. is teaming with Johnny Depp's Infinitum Nihil production company to develop a feature based on the '60s daytime supernatural sudser Dark Shadows, according to Variety.

Over 1,225 episodes, Dark Shadows was a highly atmospheric, spooky soap that featured gothic horror staples like vampires, monsters, witches, werewolves, ghosts and zombies. The show has a continuing rabid fan base that populates Dark Shadows Festival conventions. Numerous TV revivals of the series and pic adaptations have been attempted over the years but none with as high-wattage a star as Depp.

Depp has said in interviews that he has wanted to play Collins, the vampire patriarch of the series.

A rights deal just closed with the estate of Dan Curtis, the producer/director who created the soap that aired weekdays on ABC, from 1966 to 1971.

Another site that is reporting this: Movie Hole

At the moment, it looks like only speculation that Depp will actually play Barnabas, though every article, including this one on Zap2It suggests that he may end up playing the role due to past interest.

Edited July 27, 200718 yr by Sean

OMG!

I'm going to predict Tim Burton will direct. LOL

Wow...this sounds good!!

OMG! Wow!! Awesome news!

I was reading about this on another site and people were assembling a dream cast.

Someone suggested Angelina Jolie for Angelique, which I thought was spot on brilliant but I'd even settle for Naomi Watts.

This is UNHEARD OF.

I'm impressed. I mean, come on! It's like if Julia Roberts got the rights for "Days of Our Lives" -- as a MAJOR motion picture. I mean, COME ON! It's just amazing -- and again, unheard of.

I was reading about this on another site and people were assembling a dream cast.

Someone suggested Angelina Jolie for Angelique, which I thought was spot on brilliant but I'd even settle for Naomi Watts.

Angelina and Johnny, thats hot, I definantly will go see this movie if this is the main cast.

Angelina Jolie as Angelique would be TO-DIE-FOR!

This is very exciting news! I loved "Dark Shadows" and still read the books as Lara Parker writes them. I also agree that Angelina would be great as Angelique.

I'm going to predict Tim Burton will direct. LOL

Probably. I hope that doesn't mean he'll miscast his girlfriend Helena Bonham Carter in a plum role.

I'm not complaining but I think it's an odd thing to happen. I think it only came about because Dan Curtis isn't alive anymore.

Ugh.

I don't want Tim Burton to do anything to DS. His "vision" will totally [!@#$%^&*] all over what DS is, which is not just a spooky show about vampires, witches, and werewolves.

Jolie would be fantastic. I am so excited for this!

So now for the BIG question: since this is so soap-centric, do you think the soap press (SOD, SOW, etc) would DARE to try to secure an interview with Depp?

No way Depp or any of the primary people involved will do interviews with SOW or SOD. It's just not going to happen. LOL