[UPDATE: Fear not, this is not how Depp will look throughout the entire film. Click here to see Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins in Dark Shadows.]
Johnny Depp has made a career out of playing oddball characters in Tim Burton movies like Edward Scissorhands and Alice in Wonderland, and the actor’s current collaboration with Burton is no different. As the lead in Burton’s adaptation of the cult TV series Dark Shadows, Depp plays Barnabas Collins, an accursed vampire who finds himself rudely awoken after 200 years to discover that his estate is ruined and his descendants are struggling with a range of melodramatic problems.
When Depp was cast in the role, fans of the original series were excited. The actor always brings something unique to his characters and, when paired with Burton’s gothic sensibilities, has rarely made a misstep. However, while there was very little debate over whether Depp would do well as Collins, there was some debate over how Depp would look in the role. Now that we have our first look at Depp in character, I’m willing to bet that the debate is going to get even bigger.
The set images, which come our way via Celebuzz, show Depp in extremely heavy white make-up with highly stylized sideburns. The effect is rather striking and far different than how Jonathan Frid looked as Barnabas Collins in the original TV series, which will likely upset some Dark Shadows fans. Check out the images of Depp on set, as well as an image of the original Barnabas Collins below.
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Tim Burton’s films all have a very unique visual style and it’s clear that his take on Barnabas Collins is in keeping with that style. Nevertheless, there are probably many Dark Shadows fans out there that are unhappy to see Depp wearing such heavy make-up. Personally, my problem isn’t that Depp is painted up, but rather that his look is reminiscent of his roles in the previous Burton films Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Alice in Wonderland. For an actor that’s always giving you something different, this look has a kind of “been there, done that” feel to it.
[NOTE: As some commenters have pointed out, it's possible Barnabas is wearing heavy make-up because, as a vampire, he can't go out in the sunshine. This definitely makes sense and is probably the right guess (even if it doesn't explain the bizarre pointy sideburns).]
That being said, the original series was noted for its campiness and Depp’s over-the-top look may be in keeping with Burton’s equally campy vision for the film. Also, as is always the case with set photos, it’s unfair to pass judgment until you see the character on the big screen the way he was meant to be seen.
Does Depp look too much like Willy Wonka or the Mad Hatter here, or do you like Burton’s take on Barnabas Collins?
Source: Celebuzz
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He looks more like Michael Jackson for god’s sake!! Barnabas was never THAT white!!
How disappointing! Johnny and Tim’s schtick is getting really old.
Johnny is so gorgeous and an amazing actor, but he is definitely better in the raw. Why cover up his hot looks with make up? Seems sad, but I guess we’ll have to see how it translates with lighting etc. Surely this won’t be the look for the entire film. That would be tragic.
I can actually respect Depp for never shying from make up and costumes that hide him, he seems to care more about the character, and less about his face time like other actors and movies do, ie, Chris Evans taking his helmet off in Avengers (or so it would seem, he obviously cant always be wearing it)
Is this Dark Shadows or te Rocky Horror Picture Show? WTH is with the heavy ‘Twilight’ make-up? He’s a vampire, not a drag queen. But, then again, Burton hasn’t made a good movie since ‘Edward Scissor Hands.’I don’t know who has sunk the lowest Burton or Shyamalan…sheesh!
Any hope I had that Burton’s Dark Shadows might be worth watching has now disappeared. The only thing that could possibly be worse than what this appears to be would be for it to be made in 3D.
I am looking forward to this movie.Check the cast.(A good blend)There must be some incredable special effects or maybe a special lens.House of dark shadows was filmed in the daylight and used a lens to imitate night.This looks like a Dan Curtis move.Tim is staying true to his experiance.Everyone please give them the benifit of the doubt,besides Johnathan Frid has a comeo and so do four other original cast members.This film will be a success anyway, the cult classic has millions of fans.Johny Depp has millions of fans.Michelle’s appearance adds to the total.So I predict a box office smash for next spring.
The way these pictures look it don’t good but the way they make movies today you can never tell…. The trailer to the movie will tell all whether we go to the movie or stay home, until then we can only speculate. If we get the lighting job of sleepy Hollow or better and johnny don’t look white face we will be fine…. In the mean time Hold Your breath…
I agree with the lighting idea; Burton always tweaks with the lighting and he knows what he’s doing. For example, in Sweeney Todd the blood was deliberately colored orange since he knew that the color would show up red after the lighting was adjusted. Now if stills were taken of the blood scenes and leaked on the internet everybody would be like “umm… yea blood is red not orange get it right burton”. It’s not right to judge something that hasn’t been completed.
Does not look good.
Nestor Carbonel for Barnabas Collins
Being a huge fan of Jonathan Frid and the orginal Dark Shadows AND being an even bigger Johnnny Depp fan, I have been waiting for this to pass for years. However, I am disappointed with the “look” I do think it is too Charlie/Alice looking, and although I loved Edward Scizzorhands, I was looking forward to a darker, sexier Barnabas, as depicted in the orginal. That was always part of the alure; Barnabas made you want to be bitten and taken to the dark side. Burton always put his own spin on things, but having said that, I am sure Depp will not disappoint. He is a true artist in every sense of the word.
I totally agree, the make-up is way off and not in the true spirit of Barnabas. I have purchased the entire DS Collections and they are so wonderful, I hope that this movie is not too ‘off’.
I want to see Barnabus Collins, not Micheal Jackson
I do hope this make up is not going to be on him during the entire movie. Please-Dark Shadows was wonderful, this will be a joke if this is what he looks like the entire movie.
Tim & Johnny, I love your work, but come on – Barnabas is a vampire, not a ghost!!
Eeeewww! He looks awful!! He look more like Michael Jackson than Barnabas from the tv show! This does not look good, Dark Shadows fans!
I’m really ashamed of all of you for prematurely dismissing a movie that hasn’t even released a trailer yet. Burton knows what he’s doing, don’t you have any faith in him?
Here’s the first OFFICIAL release cast photo!
http://darkshadowsnews.blogspot.com/
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x5XhfzEH7Fo/TntTSMkHbcI/AAAAAAAAA5E/wO-FF4ei3V8/s1600/dark-shadows_810.jpg
It just proves that Johnny Depp doesn’t look like a Michael Jackson wannabe. It looks GREAT to me!
I think Tim Burton has gone loonier – than ever – with this totally ridiculous makeup for Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins. As has already been noted – Barnabas was a vampire not a ghost. Nor is he supposed to look like a cross between The Joker from Batman and Edward Scissors Hand. I had hopes that Johnny would take the role seriously – he would make a good looking sexy vampire (who would appeal to the ladies he bites. With this weird makeup he doesn’t even have charm, which would suffice, much less good looks. He reminds me, also, of a mannequin that would stand in a shop window advertising Halloween get-ups. The rest of the cast looks pretty good but I still have no intention of paying to see this fiasco.
when i heard Johnny Depp was in this I had the distinct feeling Tim Burton would be working on it, kind of seems like it would be one of his flicks. although I enjoy some of Burton’s movies, he has a distinct movie signiature that I didn’t want to particulary see with the Dark Shadows flick. A touch of Burton’s touch is great for Dark Shadows, not to the extreme as Alice In Wonderland, more of a Beetlejuice, the Burton Touch when appropiate if that makes sense.
Maybe this will be a dusk/twilight scene and they had to do this because they were filming in broad daylight. When you make everything else darker, the make-up will be less shockingly white, too.
It’s clear now that Burton has ruined Dark Shadows. Hopefully someone else will step in and redo this as it was meant to be. It’s a Gothic horror setting and feel. Not “let’s play dress up and overdo makeup”. I am *severely* disappointed in this latest travesty.
I am so upset with this issue, I am a Johnny Depp fan , a Tim Burton fan and a avid Dark Shadows fan, which makes this so difficult. Dark Shadows is a classic gothic soap. The way Tim Burton is filming his take on the series is awful. What an insult to Dan Curtis and all the cast of the original. If something ain’t broke don’t fix it. All the make up on depp is horrible. I am so disappointed. I predict it will fail as did the revival of the series in the 90′s. Its like remaking Lassie and making her a Rottweiler. Stick to the tried and true too many remakes have failed in the last 20 yrs. You can’t improve on perfection. Straying too far from the original will be its demise.
Sigh. Terrible. It’s like a tribute to the 60′s or something. Johnny, instead of trying to be Barnabas, you’re trying to be Johnathan Frid. I understand you idolize him and he is a great actor and was a fabulous Barnabas but you’re doing him a terrible injustice. The whole look of this movie is like a period farce. NO, no, no! We want to see a sexy updated Barnabas for the 21st century, not a throwback. Johnny and Tim have totally missed their mark on this one. I agree with everyone above that Depp looks more like he did in Willy Wonka. At least in the Pirates movies Depp had a certain bohemian suaveness that made him seem kinda sexy (even with the rotten teeth). Now he looks like a cross between Marylin Manson and Michael Jackson! WTF! That is not sexy at all. Grr. Even Frid has his own intensity that made him very sexy in the original show. There was a lot of sexual/sensual tension in the series because of it. I think Depp’s gonna just look like a freak-pervert instead of a hot vampire. The whole look from these pre-shots makes me want to stay far far away from the theater when this comes out. I’ll stick with my collection of the original. Johnny, stick to making Pirates sequels. You’ll do better. Oh, and ditch Burton.
Maannnn, why can’t Johnny have long hair or medium length hair like Tom & Brad in Interview with a Vampire..why does Burton have to take away from Johnny’s good looks all the time…I didnt like Willie Wonka b/c Johnny looked awful and now this..I am so disappointed, Barnabas didnt look like this..why cant it be more real, like the show I came to love long ago..ugh, probably wont go see it..was so hoping Johnny would be dark sexy Barnabas, not a white, mime looking, fake Barnabas..geez.. !
I so totally agree with you..!!
Look between frames 8:13-10:00 to see how Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) appeared during his daytime stroll in the movie, “House of Dark Shadows”:
http://youtu.be/wjwTyGaBtGc
I really hope this is not what is planned for the character of Barnabas Collins. He was not “Michael Jackson”! It is hideous. C’mon, do Dark Shadows right.
I, too, am a huge Dark Shadows and Johnny Depp fan. I thought of pairing them up years ago! I am so disappointed at the make up job I’m seeing. My only hope is that I know Johnny won’t disappoint. Barnabas didn’t look like a clown. He always teetered on the beauty of humanity vs the allure of “the beast”….please Tim, change the makeup and keep the beauty!
too white – looks like a clown. This is not supposed to be a funny character. Maybe the makeup artist is confusing the maeup book with that from Alice in Wonderland.