It’s probably safe to say that the images of Johnny Depp on the set of Tim Burton’s DARK SHADOWS took us all by surprise. Were we expecting Depp to look like Michael Jackson, once again? (Let’s not forget how eerily he channeled Jackson in CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY.) No. That said, we don’t know the context the photos were taken in, so we shouldn’t get all up in arms just yet. Let’s also not forget that this movie is based on a soap opera, so there isn’t a terribly high bar to rise to.
In any event, young actress Chloe Moretz is doing press for her new movie, HICK, in Toronto, and naturally the chat turned to her character in DARK SHADOWS, as well as what kind of movie this will be…
“Oh, Carolyn, that’s a fun character. That’s a really fun character. She is crazy. She is this teenager, like 15-year-old hippie who is into The Carpenters and Alice Cooper. She’s super music-y and raw, like free love, you know. She’s fun. I can’t say much because he has a really dark secret I can’t tell you.”
When asked if this movie is serious or a comedy, Moretz responds:
“Oh no, no. It’s Tim Burton so it’s like Beetlejuice. I have to say it’s a mixture of Beetlejuice, a teeny bit of Sweeney and the scariness of Sweeney but the fun of Sleepy Hollow with the scariness of Sleepy Hollow. I’d definitely say it’s a lot like Sleepy Hollow because you go from the Ichabod Crane character to the Headless Horseman who’s comedic and yet terrifying. It straddles that fine line of camp and drama so it’s like a drama horromedy thriller.”
Ms. Moretz is all of 14-years-old, so my 31-year-old self won’t blame her for sounding her her age. But her assessment that it’s a lot like SLEEPY HOLLOW pretty much jibes with what I’ve been assuming in terms of DARK SHADOWS‘ tone. But BEETLEJUICE? Hmm…
DARK SHADOWS star Bella Heathcote
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