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Johnny Depp & Tim Burton's Remake of Classic Soap, Dark Shadows Film Trailer Released!

Finally, the fantastic trailer for the new Johnny Depp and Tim Burton collaboration is out as a precursor to this summer’s highly-anticipated release of the remake of the classic vampire soap and cult favorite, Dark Shadows!  This concept is to different from the original television soap opera version, that it may be a tweak  many Dark Shadows enthusiasts.  Here is the set-up:  The year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass and Barnabas (Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet—or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine.

The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy…until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive.  Two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972.  He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin.

The dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better, each harboring their own dark secrets. Matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) has called upon live-in psychiatrist, Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter), to help with her family troubles. Also residing in the manor is Elizabeth’s ne’er-do-well brother, Roger Collins, (Jonny Lee Miller); her rebellious teenage daughter Carolyn Stoddard (Chloe Moretz); and Roger’s precocious 10-year-old son, David Collins (Gulliver McGrath). The mystery extends beyond the family, to caretaker Willie Loomis, played by Jackie Earle Haley, and David’s new nanny, Victoria Winters, played by Bella Heathcote.

Watch the trailer below and let us know what you think!

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I don’t know what to say. I loved DS back in the day, and the trailer is amusing, but I don’t know what to say.

I was just about to write the exact same thing.

This is sickening and a slap in the face to the legacy of Dan Curtis. Michael, if you think this is fantastic, you probably think that an OLTL movie musical with Nikki Smith singing “I’ve Got to Be Me” would be out of this world. This is disrespectful and the original cast members who have cameos in the film should be ashamed of themselves. A crap sandwich from Depp and Burton who only make movies these days just to amuse themselves.

Jim, I have to admit you are funny,the thought of nikki smith singing “ive got to be me”IN a one life to live movie musical is hysterical ,at least it would be better them never seeing my favorite characters of landview again.I miss erika slezak.and One life to live. I agree with you about depp and burton.

Jim,

I totally agree! I don’t think anyone else enjoys their movies anymore. If Depp is truly a DS fan, he wouldn’t have made a parody of it.

oh, thank you! I’m not alone! I absolutely loved the original Dark Shadows and the DS movies… all that dark, moody seriousness, the older, mature actors, and the music was one of the main characters… I sometimes like Johnny Depp but know from other movies of the Burton/Depp marriage that those 2 haven’t grown up – they love to go overboard, more blood splurting, more makeup, more overacting, silly eyeballs jumping out…. they think it’s funny. I do not want to see MY dark shadows ruined like that. It was bad enough when they tried to “remake” the series many years ago (with Ben Cross) and they modernized it and sexed it up — oh, it was horrible! just ruined it! If I’m going to spend (what are movie prices now?) what $10 to see one of favorites I spent years glued to, it better be as good as the original!

I’ve talked myself out of seeing it! That and this preview – Superfly music? yuk! He’s got way more makeup on than he should. TV? I don’t remember there ever being a TV at Collinswood… where’s the fog? where’s the waves crashing against the rocks? where’s the serious actors? where’s the dark spooky house filled with moody relatives and a time travel room downstairs, and I want David Selby! and Jonathon Frid! and Lara Parker!

gees… I’ll wait for a discount dvd! in the meantime, think I’ll look for those original Dark Shadows on DVD and the movies too. Those are the best and can’t ever be remade!

If a OLTL movie musical had Erika Slezak playing Niki, it wouldn’t be as bad as Depp playing Collins.

I agree with Lew. Tough to know what to say about this. I was a super fan of Dark Shadows back in the day. I am also a huge fan of Johnny Depp. It looks amusing, but I am not sure if I will like it. Seems to make a joke out of an old, campy soap. Remains to be seen……….

sometimes its best to just leave things alone like movies, old television series ,bat caves ,the list can go on.

This looks great, campy, and delicious! And yes, I most certainly remember the original, but I, for one, grew up.

I don’t think it has to do with growing up, but just loving something from the past and wanting to remember it that way. I would feel the same if they tried to remake Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon or Sophie’s Choice as parodies. Yes, DS was campy, but it was also gothic and had great film and stage-trained actors who made it great and entertaining.

Im with you lew.NO one could replace HUMPHERY BOGART,ever.And dark shadows should have been left alone ,Wont say I will never watch it ,I will on dvd.Dont forget all the Idiots who tried to remake the wizard of oz,judy garland will forever be dorothy gale.

….I dont know.

Well, I love Johmmy Depp. I think you have to acknowledge that he is a very fine actor if you look at his body of work. Campy movie, yes. But, what is wrong with that? Loosen up and have fun with it!

well – i remember running home from school to watch dark shawdows – i loved that show & i am also a fan of johnny depp BUT after viewing the trailer i am just not feeling this movie…………… i will go see it though…..

Now who exactly is the red-haired woman supposed to be?

Julia Hoffman

DS 2012 is obviously geared to the present audience; remakes make me nauseous–The Beverly Hillbillies, Bewitched, and The Honeymooners–three examples of remakes that you couldn’t pay me to watch. I’ll reserve comment on DS 2012 until the dvd or streaming versions come out. I don’t think it’s worth the price of admission.

I would never pay to see this either. Dark Shadows ceased original broadcasts more than 40 years ago. The film is directed toward a younger audience who never saw the original and can’t make comparisons (or they would be nauseated too).

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Robin Strasser Meets Kristen Alderson’s Baby Kiera in a One Life to Live Reunion

For years, Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian) and Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) have been the best of friends and the best of co-stars. On One Life to Live, Kristen was only six-years-old when she began her journey as Todd and Blair’s daughter and met the iconic Strasser.

Now in 2024, Kristen is a new mom to her baby girl, Kiera. Strasser, who lives in New York, along with her best friend, John, traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, just a few days ago to visit the Alderson family and spend the day with Kiera.

Taking to her Instagram a very happy Kristen shared, “Look at who came to visit today! Robin & her bestie John! Robin and I got all misty eyed when she met Kiera today!”

Photo: JPI

In a very touching part of her post, Alderson expressed, “Robin is such a special person in my life, it means so much to me that we’re as close as we are. She’s just the best❤️ A great day of laughs & a great brunch spread😍”

Robin added, “I’ve been smiling since I met her. I’m a big softie for babies, but what a doll Kiera is!” The Daytime Emmy-winning star, also shared, “I’m so grateful for my ongoing friendship with Kris and Kathy. Amazing women and loyal friends!”

What do you think about Kristen and Robin’s enduring friendship and recalling their time on One Life to Live? Comment below.

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General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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