'Dark Shadows' producer: Johnny Depp was a 'man on a mission'

May 06, 2012 | 8:43 a.m.

Johnny Depp in Dark Shadows. (Peter Mountain/Warner Bros.)

Johnny Deppmakes transformations for a living hes playeda poet, pirate, cop,crook,lizard, killer, candymaker, astronautand even (shudder) an accountant but, surprisingly, he had never portrayed a vampire untilDark Shadows, which opens May 11. The movie actually adds a second unprecedented role to Depps career list: Now he can say hes been the producer of a Tim Burton film.

Depp had produced just two previous films, Hugo and The Rum Diary, both released last year,but expect to see more; in 2010 hisproduction company, Infinitum Nihil,solidifiedand extended itsexisting deal withOscar-winning producer Graham King (The Departed, The Aviator) and an adaptation of Image Comics The Vault is among the projects in the pipeline. Years ago, Depp snapped up the rights to the old television show Dark Shadows and that led to Depp and King both taking on the producer role for the Warner Bros. release of the supernatural comedy-romance.

King is known as a gambling soul in Hollywood and, after recent setbacks, he could use a hit with Dark Shadows.We caught up with him to talk about Depps passion for the project.

Graham King at the London premiere of Hugo, a film that he and Johnny Depp produced. (Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

HC: The Dark Shadows name has a lot of history ABC aired more than 1,200 episodesof the gothic soap opera but its a blank spot for most moviegoers now. That may not matter at all, though, because in tone, plot and approach,this film is more about Tim Burton than the old series

GK: No question, no question. When Johnny first talked to me about Dark Shadows, I have to admit,I had no idea what it was. It didnt play overseas it didnt play in the U.K., thats for sure, when I was growing up. Then obviously I did a lot of homework and looked into it and you know what, people say this is a remake of the old TV series but its really not. I feel its a very commercial, accessible film for people to go to and have a really fun time. Tim and Johnny put their stamp on it and when that happens its special and, for me, to be involved in that and in a movie that is pure entertainment is really nice.

HC: This is the eighth Burton-Depp collaboration and both of them are acutely aware of the dangers ofrepeating themselves. Thatsprobably a healthy anxiety at this point

GK: Oh absolutely. I think whenever you see a director and actor working closely together on so many projects that [anxiety] happens quite a lot in our business. I know a couple of directors who like to work with the sameactors and the reason is they have a certain chemistry; and you can certainly tell on set with Johnny and Tim thateach of themkind of knows what the other is thinking. Theyve gotten to knoweach other so well over the years ! that its really great to see the twoof them gel together and find new stories to tell and ways to challenge themselves.

The Vault is being developed for the screen by Infinitum Nihil and GKFilms. (Image Comics)

HC: More than any other movie star of his stature, Depp finds roles where he can submerge himself in makeup and costume. Youve been working with him for the better part of a decade now; do you wish you could see more of him in his movies, so to speak?

GK: [Laughs] Well Ive been lucky enough to work with Johnny a few times when hes not in all the makeup Rum Diaries and The Tourist and hes so versatile that he can play any role. What I love about Dark Shadows is his dry sense of humor. And, as you know, Johnny carries that with him 24/7.There are moments in the movie where his response to things just the look on his face are hilarious. Ive seen it over and over again and I laugh every time. Johnny can deliver lines just without saying anything.

HC:I remember Rob Marshall saying Depp reminds him of Valentino when it comes to his command of expression without words. I thought that was a very insightful observation.

GK: I think, Valentino, thats areally goodanalogy but to me hes Peter Sellers as well. He has that kind of humor about him, where he can do anything in a way that makes people laugh.

HC: Depp grew up loving Dark Shadows was that apparent in that first conversation you had with him about this project?

GK: Absolutely, yes, absolutely. He started telling me all of this, with a lot of excitement. I wasthinking, What is he talking about?He was absolutely a man on a miss! ion to p lay this role. He loved itwhen he wasa kid and obviously it shows in the film. Johnny loved every minute of being Barnabus.

Geoff Boucher

RECENT AND RELATED:

Exclusive: The only Dark Shadows set visit