Screen Junkies » Tim Burton

Tim Burton To Direct Non-Depp Actors In ‘Big Eyes’

Penn Collins — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 01:19:54 +0000

In news that’s sure to make Johnny Depp and his hats very, very sad, Tim Burton has announced a new film, and drafted several actors that don’t appear to be Johnny Depp. While one of the actors has long hair like Depp, and another is a man like Depp, it’s virtually certain that neither Amy Adams nor Christoph Waltz is Johnny Depp, which begs the questions, “Who the fuck does Tim Burton think he is? This is how he treats people he calls his friend?”

Big Eyes is the story of famed (I guess) painter Margaret Keane and her husband, Walter Keane and the couple’s rise to fame in the 50′s and 60′s. If you’re uncertain why Burton would take on such a project that isn’t cartoon-y or CGI…

Hold your goddamn horses and take a gander at Keane’s work. Right here.

Makes sense now, doesn’t it?

Of Course He Does: Tim Burton Compares His ‘Batman’ Movies To Christopher Nolan’s

Penn Collins — Thu, 03 May 2012 22:57:53 +0000

It was neck-and-neck in my mind, then I remember that Burton’s had Danny Devito, and that was the end of that contest.

While doing press for the upcoming Dark Shadows, Tim Burton compared his contributions to the Batman films to those of Christopher Nolan, whose The Dark Knight Rises is perhaps the most anticipated film of…ever.

Speaking about the comparisons, Burton said, “I always get told that my material is dark, but nowadays my version of Batman looks like a lighthearted romp in comparison to Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight.”

I would say that while Burton’s take was certainly more noir (I think I remember one daylight scene in both films), there was a campy sense of humor that harkened back to the TV show, almost, whereas Nolan’s films have all the comedy of a crime epic like Heat.

Comparing them seems a little silly, as they’re films from two distinct directors at the top of their game. Let’s just agree that both are excellent, and the presences of Christopher Walken and Joseph Gordon-Levitt will offset each other, resulting a tie that lasts for all of eternity.

Fair?

(Screen Rant)

Seth Grahame-Smith Updates: Wazzup With ‘Beetlejuice 2′?

Wookie Johnson — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:00:22 +0000

Now that Seth Grahame-Smith is putting the finishing touches on his Dead-United-States-President-fighting-vampires masterpiece, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, he has time to think about his future projects. The most important of those being Beetlejuice 2.

Though he hasn’t written the script yet, he has spoken with Michael Keaton (which essentially equals a go picture in Hollywood… twenty years ago). Believe it or not, Keaton is really excited for the project.

“I met with Michael last week,” says Seth, “and his excitement level is huge. We talked for a couple of hours about big-picture stuff. He’s been wanting to do it for twenty years and he’ll talk to anybody about it who will listen!”

Translation: Seriously. He has my home number. I’m scared.

Though we won’t get the famously scrapped sequel, Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian, we shouldn’t worry about the level of quality you expect from a Michael Keaton picture diminishing.

“It’s a priority for Warners and it’s a priority for Tim.” But he’s keen to emphasise that he doesn’t want to taint the first movie. “I have a huge reverence for Tim and a huge reverence for that film in general,” he promises. “I don’t think we should do it if we shit on the legacy. Michael agrees. So, right now, it remains to be seen. I have a couple of story ideas, but we’re very early out.”

Thank goodness. We don’t need a repeat of White Noise 2. (Shock Til You Drop)

The Man Comes Around In ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’ Trailer

Wookie Johnson — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:00:16 +0000

And I heard as it were. the noise of thunder. And I looked and behold, it was Death saying, “Come and see.”

And I saw. And Hell followed him.

In other words, vampires of the south have been put on notice because now we have the first action-packed trailer for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Give it a watch. I dare you to find any scenes that don’t look incredibly awesome. Bravo to Tim Burton, Timur Bekmambetov, and Seth Grahame-Smith.

Hooray For Hollywood: Severed Head Found Near Iconic Hollywood Sign

Penn Collins — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:13:47 +0000

I’ve heard of getting “a head” in Hollywood, but this is…never mind.

On Tuesday, two dog walkers were, predictably, walking dogs in a park just below the famous Hollywood sign when they discovered a severed human head, with no body found nearby. At press time, it was unclear if one of the dogs brought the head to its master in its mouth like at the beginning of Law & Order episodes.

Police have returned today (Wednesday) with cadaver dogs to search for the rest of the body. Logic tells me that “cadaver dogs” are regular trained dogs that search for corpses, but in my heart of hearts, I still hold out hope that “cadaver dogs” are a pack of undead hell-beasts co-opted by the LAPD or Park Rangers to mete out savage justice for this crime.

Heady stuff, folks. Heady stuff indeed. (CNN)

9 Famous Bromances Between Actors and Directors

Wookie Johnson — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:28:08 +0000

Everyone plays favorites. Why should Hollywood be any different? Directors have their favorite Directors of Photography, their favorite composers, and their favorite editors. Why wouldn’t they have their favorite stars. In fact, it seems much more commonplace for a bromance to develop between an actor and his director. At least a dozen examples of current epic director and actor team-ups come to mind. But since I’m lazy, here are nine.

Tim Burton and Johnny Depp

Tim Burton and Johnny Depp have been at work best friends for quite awhile. The bromance began back in 1990 when Depp starred in Edward Scissorhands. Lead roles in Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, The Corpse Bride, Sweeney Todd, Alice in Wonderland, and the upcoming Dark Shadows followed. Burton has also been known to cast his lady loves. First, Lisa Marie appeared in many of his films until he threw her over for now-wife Helena Bonham-Carter. It just goes to show that relationships come and go, but the bond of bromance is forever.

David Gordon Green and Danny McBride

Buddies since film school, it’s rare that David Gordon Green takes on a project without Danny McBride in tow. McBride appeared in a weirdly-unfunny role in Green’s All the Real Girls before he honed his chops and became a comedy sensation. A role that helped launch him was that of Red in Green’s first studio film, Pineapple Express. They’ve been good ol’ boying around ever since with Your Highness, Good Vibes, and Eastbound & Down.

Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio

De Niro who? Martin Scorsese has found a new muse in Leonardo DiCaprio. The director and actor first began working together on Gangs of New York, and continued that relationship through ambitious films like The Aviator, The Departed, and Shutter Island. There are also rumors that the duo may re-team for a remake of The Gambler.

Warners Bros Gets Behind ‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel

Penn Collins — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:49:56 +0000

After a merciful false start in the early 90′s (unless the public really wanted a Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian), it sounds like Warner Bros might be going forward with a sequel to Beetlejuice, the 1988 beloved Tim Burton film starring Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Winona Ryder, and Michael Keaton.

The studio has signed a two-year, first-look deal with writing duo Seth Grahame-Smith and David Katzenberg, who are behind both Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Burton’s upcoming Dark Tower. The duo have penned a script that is believed to be a continuation, rather than a reboot, of the original Beetlejuice.

For those who are too young to have seen the original firsthand, Beetlejuice is a dark comedy about ghosts who are trying to scare the new occupants out of their old home. The film definitely runs quirky and Burton-esque, so without his involvement, this project could find itself woefully misguided. The same could be said for Keaton, so it will be interesting to see what path the studio takes.

Further, it could be funny seeing Keaton throw out his back performing wacky antics.

Seriously, though, I wish the guy nothing but the best. He’s Mr. Mom, after all.

Disney Throws Their Very Own Comic-Con, D23

Penn Collins — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:31:04 +0000

Last year, Disney took one look at Comic-Con and said, “Wait a minute! This convention isn’t exclusively Disney-themed!” Well, The Mouse has enough on its docket that it is rolling out its stars and sneak peaks again for D23 from August 19-21. However, if you’re just buying a day pass, you’ll probably want to shoot for the 20th at the Anaheim Convention Center. That’s the day they’ll be rolling out looks at John Carter, Avengers, The Muppets, Pixar‘s The Brave, and Tim Burton‘s Frankenweenie.

There’s also a rumor that the cast and clips from The Lone Ranger could be appearing, but if you breathe that rumor in anything more than a whisper, it will likely vanish forever.

As if that wasn’t enough, we’re also getting Disney’s current stars, including, but not limited to, Jack McBreyer, Sarah Silverman, Jennifer Garner, Jason Segel, Taylor Kitsch, Willem Dafoe, and some dude named Kermit.

There will also be a panel and profile of the Pixar creative team, and, if you want to dork out REALLY hard, one featuring many of the Disney execs. YES! The convention floor will be riddled with props from the latest Pirates of the Caribbean film, though no explanation will be given as to how it made so much goddamn money.

See ya in Anaheim!

Not.

‘Pirates 5′ Director Whirlpool Includes Sam Raimi And Shawn Levy?

Geoffrey Golden — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 23:23:39 +0000

Whether you liked Pirates of the Caribbean 4 or wished you owned a boat with a plank, so you could shove the film reels off of said plank, On Stranger Tides is a box office winner. Disney has collected over $639 million doubloons worldwide so far, which means there will be more of them. The only problem is that Johnny Depp and Pirates 4 director Rob Marshall are not yet signed on for a fifth installment. They’ve also set sail to make another project together, Thin Man, which is perhaps their way of abandoning ship.

6 photosDaphne Joy

If Depp pulls out, that’ll obviously create a major whirlpool for producers to fight out of. However, the studio is already throwing around new names for director: Sam Raimi, Chris Weitz, Alfonso Cuaron, Shawn Levy and their fantasy pick… Tim Burton. Apparently, they wanted Burton for #4, so it seems unlikely they’d get him now. Of those, I’d say Levy makes the most sense, given that his filmography contains many huge budget, family friendly CG-based movies. I guess we’ll see how it all shakes down.

Screenwriter Terry Rossio already turned a draft of Pirates 5 to Disney. (CinemaBlend)

Tim Burton Has No Plans To Make A 3D ‘Dark Shadows’

Wookie Johnson — Tue, 31 May 2011 16:30:40 +0000

6 photosLily Collins

Tim Burton enjoyed a career revitalization when his 3D Alice In Wonderland inexplicably dominate the box office. But that doesn’t mean that he’ll jam 3D down our throats when he releases Dark Shadows. Which means we won’t have to pay top dollar to watch pale maidens run graveyards to escape a vampire Johnny Depp (though we totally would).

In regards to a 3D Dark Shadows, Burton says, “I have no plans for that. I loved doing Alice in 3D. Frankeweenie, gonna do that in 3D. There’s people like, ‘Everything’s gonna be in 3D,’ or “I hate 3D!’ I think people should have a choice. I don’t think it should be forced on anybody.”

I totally agree. Though that viewpoint most likely fell deaf on the ears of the Shark Night 3D producers.

Aronofsky Wanted For Un-Aronofsky Projects: ‘Maleficent’, ‘Moses’

Geoffrey Golden — Fri, 20 May 2011 22:34:04 +0000

I’ve got to pull myself together. It’s been how many weeks – months? – since director Darren Aronofsky turned down The Wolverine? I haven’t shaved, I’ve been drinking… a lot. Then smashing the bottles against the floor and screaming “why?” Needless to say, I haven’ taken the news well.

However, Aronofsky has moved on, and is looking at proposals from Warner Bros and Disney. The Mouse House wants the Black Swan helmer for Maleficent, now that Tim Burton has dropped out. It’s Sleeping Beauty from the villain’s perspective, with Angelina Jolie set to star, so if you love Wicked, you are morally obliged to buy a ticket.

That glass slipper doesn’t sound like a perfect fit for Aronofsky, and neither does Warner’s Moses project, about the biblical hero leading the Jews through the desert. It’s one of two being developed in Hollywood, because there always has to be a competing movie, with Dan Lin (Sherlock Holmes) set to produce. I think if he directed either of these, I’d bring a few X-Men action figures and start sobbing half way through.

But really though, I’m fine. (Badass News)

Slow News Day: Tim Burton Bows Out Of Disney’s ‘Maleficent’

Geoffrey Golden — Tue, 17 May 2011 00:57:17 +0000

With over 2 billion similar fairy tale movie projects in the works, there has to be room for one more, right? For money’s sake?

That was the question propelling the development of Maleficent, a live-action Disney feature a la Alice In Wonderland, which will tell the story of Sleeping Beauty from the evil witch’s point of view. Tim Burton was attached to direct and Angelina Jolie to star. It was to be a magnificent celebration of green screens and Hot Topic friendly character designs.

Then a Disney executive accidentally touched a spinning wheel or something and Tim Burton dropped out. Now the studio is scrambling for a new director to helm the project, written by Alice In Wonderland scribe Linda Woolverton. Jolie is still attached, but I guess if Johnny Depp isn’t involved in some way, Burton loses interest. (Hollywood Reporter)

Warner Bros Forces ‘Dark Shadows’ Into The Light With Release Date

Geoffrey Golden — Thu, 12 May 2011 23:57:53 +0000

Three Warner Bros movies got release dates, so mark your calendars. Or just let the incessant marketing next year remind you. Either way works.

Dark Shadows, a gothy new Tim Burton / Johnny Depp love-fest, opens May 11, 2012. Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green and Helena Bonham Carter also star in this 60′s cult TV show turned feature film. Get ready to see vampires, ghosts and ghouls during the scariest time of the year: mid-May. oooOOOooo.

Rivals, starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis as two guys who I’m sure will not being competing against one another, opens Aug. 10, 2012. It’s the story of two rival political candidates, directed by Jay Roach. I would have hoped they’d be running together on the Frat Party ticket. Ah well.

However, before all that, you and Dwayne Johnson are going on a journey together. Specifically, a Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 3D journey. Michael Caine, Josh Hutcherson and Vanessa Hudgens will be along for your crazy ride come Jan. 27, 2012. It’s sure to be a journey… into pure cinematic genius. (Deadline)

Tim Burton Lures Chloe Moretz To ‘Dark Shadows’

Wookie Johnson — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:25:12 +0000

Tim Burton is busy luring more children to the set of Dark Shadows. More specifically, he’s busy luring them from the set of The Invention On Hugo Cabret. First, Gulliver McGrath signed on to be creeped out by the exceptionally pale clique of Burton, Johnny Depp, and Helena Bonham Carter. Now Kick Ass‘s Hit Girl, Chloe Moretz has signed as well.

Moretz will play Carolyn. She’s the daughter of Michelle Pfeiffer‘s Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, who is the reclusive matriarch of the Collins clan and owner of the Collinwood mansion where the story is set. Moretz should fit in nicely on set considering her resume is already heavy with genre films. She’s used to be bloodied up between Kick Ass, Let Me In, and the tween gladiator battles she likely had to win to earn so much success at such a young age. (Deadline)

Burton Selects Child Actor Gulliver McGrath To Terrorize On ‘Dark Shadows’ Set

Wookie Johnson — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 19:04:17 +0000

You’d assume there’d be some kind of rule preventing Tim Burton from shooting with children but I guess that’s just not the case. The director has just cast Australian boy actor Gulliver McGrath in the role of David Collins in his Dark Shadows remake.

The lad was previously up for the lead in Martin Scorsese’s The Invention Of Hugo Cabret but accepted a lesser role when he wasn’t selected for the part. As previously reported, Michael Sheen has been approached for the film and it’s believed he’ll play David’s father, Roger Collins. In the series, David was quite often terrorized by all manner of ghost, werewolf, and immortal phoenix. Seeing as this is a Tim Burton production, we can only assume that will hold true for Gulliver McGrath. And that’s not to mention the frights he’ll be receiving once the cameras roll. (Deadline)

Thomas McDonell To Loiter In ‘Dark Shadows’ After ‘Prom’

Geoffrey Golden — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 02:16:53 +0000

If you’re a goth, and you willingly go to prom, you’d better at least go smoke some cloves in dark shadows afterwards. Or whatever. *Broods*

Actor Thomas McDonell, who will star in Disney’s Prom – which I assume will expose prom after-parties as the lame, chastity guarding shams they really are – is now set to join the cast of Tim Burton‘s Dark Shadows. He’ll join Johnny Depp, who Burton is surgically attached to, along with Eva Green and Michelle Pfeiffer (Tim Burton: “So… does the catsuit still fit?”). Meanwhile, Michael Sheen and Helena Bonham Carter are in talks to play roles.

The film is based on a British 60s TV series of the same name, with a script by The Mashup Magician (TM) behind Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Seth Grahame-Smith. (Deadline)

Michael Sheen (No Relation) In Talks For ‘Dark Shadows’

Geoffrey Golden — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 01:10:43 +0000

There’s another Sheen in the news, but he’s not related to the tiger blood/winning/crazy one.

Director Tim Burton is in talks with actor Michael Sheen (Twilight: New Moon, Tron: Legacy) to join the Dark Shadows ensemble. The adaptation of the 60s British TV series stars Johnny Depp (as required by Burton Law), Eva Green, Michelle Pfeiffer and Helena Bonham Carter. Seth Grahame-Smith (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) wrote the script, which makes sense. Werewolves, ghosts, vampires and time-travel all play a part in the Dark Shadows universe, so Grahame-Smith didn’t even have to mash those elements into it. It’s like the mashing up was done for him.

The story centers around a vampire, Barnabas Collins, who searches for Josette, his lost love. No word yet on who Sheen would play. The film is expected to open in 2012. (The Playlist)

Josh Brolin Developing ‘Hunchback’ For Tim Burton To Ruin

Geoffrey Golden — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 03:21:37 +0000

There’s no dark, popular work of fiction director Tim Burton won’t ruin with a huge-budget adaptation, whether it’s Planet of the Apes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Alice In Wonderland. He likes to leave his gothic, brooding mark on any story he can, which is why it makes sense that Burton and actor Josh Brolin (True Grit) are currently developing The Hunchback of Notre Dame for Warner Bros. Based on the 1831 book Hunchback by Victor Hugo, Brolin would presumably star as “hunchy” himself, Quasimodo. For some reason, Brolin wants to give horribly ugly another try after Jonah Hex.

It’s got everything a Tim Burton could want: a lonely, deformed outcast living in a dark bell tower, who fights a ton of soldiers in a tragic love story. I can picture the Hot Topic merchandise already. Of course, Burton’s involvement depends on the quality of the script, which is being written by Kieran and Michele Mulroney (Sherlock Holmes). However, this story seems really right for Burton to over-produce, so my question is: how big a part will Johnny Depp have? (Hollywood Reporter)

Michelle Pfeiffer And Helena Bonham Carter Might Get To Hang Out With Tim Burton Again

Joseph Gibson — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:29:07 +0000

During Batman Returns, Michelle Pfeiffer and Tim Burton got to be such good friends, it’s a shame they haven’ hung out since then, you know? Well, that might be about to change, with Pfeiffer in talks to star in Burton’s upcoming Dark Shadows, based on the 60s vampire soap of the same name. Burton also is interested in casting Helena Bonham Carter, who he also must want to hang out with. The movie also stars Johnny Depp, Jackie Earle Haley, and Eva Green:

“Pfeiffer would play Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, the reclusive matriarch of the Collins family which runs the Maine town. The character has not left the mansion since the disappearance of her husband a decade earlier.”

“Reclusive matriarch”? Don’t these people know that vampires are supposed to be sexy now? I’d be hard-pressed to come up with a less sexy phrase than “reclusive matriarch.” “Cronenbergian,” maybe. (via The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline)

Johnny Depp Running Out Of Ways To Act Weird

Wookie Johnson — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:58:40 +0000

Everyone’s curious what Johnny Depp is going to do with the character of Barnabus Collins in Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows adaptation. Will he make him super-gay or super-duper gay?? According to Depp, neither.

“Jonathan Frid did with that character with that classic iconic look he created, I find it difficult to stray very far from that,” Depp tells MTV.

Well, surely there’s a way to give him a silly voice or have him licking the curtains or something. ANYTHING!

“There’s something about the idea of this vampire coming back after 200 years into this modern world. With a touch of the poetic, with the tendency to wax a little poetic now and again. I have a good feeling about it. But Jonathan Frid’s Barnabas was so special.”

Aahhhhh…. That’s much better. Would be nice to see Depp with that hairstyle that Gary Oldman rocked in Dracula though. You know, the one that looked like a butt. Fingers crossed, fingers crossed.

Tim Burton Reveals (The Plot Of) His ‘Frankenweenie’

Geoffrey Golden — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:59:05 +0000

Director Tim Burton has been doing a lot of mucking with other people’s work in recent years, turning great stories like Alice In Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory into weird, computer generated movie-monsters. That’s why I think the upcoming Frankenweenie is a good fit for Burton right now. It’s a stop-motion animated (good) story that Burton made up (very good) about a well-meaning boy who turns his dog into a monster. (It will hopefully be cathartic.) We’ve got the official synopsis right here:

After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new “leash on life” can be monstrous.

You better be-leash it, movie synopsis writer.

Anyway, Frankenweenie will be in black-and-white, which is an interesting choice for a movie that will inevitably be aimed at color-loving families. However, Burton’s not going too unconventional, as the animated movie will be screened in Mandatory-Vision (3D). I’m still officially interested, especially with a solid voice cast that includes Winona Ryder, Martin Short and Catherine O’Hara. However, we’ve got a long way until the October 2012 release date, and Burton’s doing some stuff in the Dark Shadows with his Hot Topic BFF Johnny Depp this year.

Eva Green Enters ‘Dark Shadows’ Of Goth Pals Depp and Burton

Geoffrey Golden — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 03:17:31 +0000

Johnny Depp and Tim Burton teaming up to make a movie called Dark Shadows is like Jeff Foxworthy and Larry The Cable Guy making a movie together called Farts Are Funny. Seems like all their movies have dark shadows in them, only now the shadows are stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight, where they’ll cease to be shadows?

Not sure where I was going with that last sentence, but one actress is stepping into the spotlight today: actress Eva Green has been cast opposite Johnny Depp in Dark Shadows, beating other contenders like Bella Heathcote for the role. Green was a Bond girl in Casino Royale, and she’s in the “Camelot” mini-series that unforgivably used 30 Seconds To Mars in the trailer. That’s not Green’s fault though, so Miss Green and I – we’re cool.

Green will play Angelique, a witch who turns Johnny Depp into a vampire. If box office trends are any indication, Depp was going to have to become a vampire at some point anyway. Might as well be with the help of a pretty Bond lady. (/Film)

Freaky Dude And Pretty Girl In Talks For Burton’s ‘Dark Shadows’

Wookie Johnson — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 23:09:06 +0000

Here’s some casting that make perfect sense. Tim Burton has his sights on virginal Bella Heathcoate and professional creepazoid Jackie Earle Haley for his stab at Dark Shadows.

Heathcoate, who was previously up for Snow White and the Huntsman, is Burton’s top choice for Victoria Winters, the young governess of the Collins Estate. Haley is in talks to play Willie Loomis, a grave-robbing conman who becomes Johnny Depp‘s bitch after discovering the vampire in his crypt. But honestly, who can blame him? Those eyes!

This combination of beauty and beast is textbook Burton. We’ve seen this juxtaposition in Edward Scissorhands, Beetle Juice, and all those years that Burton dated Lisa Marie. (Deadline)

Joaquin Phoenix Weirds His Way Into ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’?

Geoffrey Golden — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 07:28:02 +0000

We know that Joaquin Phoenix loves beards, so it makes sense that he’s attracted to a project about a man with a legendary beard: motherfreakin’ Abraham Lincoln. Besides having grown a cool beard, I’m a little confused about the rest of Lincoln‘s biography. My history teachers said he was one of the greatest American Presidents, others say he was an expert vampire hunter.

The actor-turned-rapper-turned-actor-once-again is the lead choice to play Honest Abe’s mentor in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, an adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith‘s goofvel (a novel that’s just a big ol’ goof). His first bit of advice for the President? Quit being President to start a career as a vampire hunter, then tell everyone it was just a weird joke.

Lincoln is set to be played by actor-elect Benjamin Walker and Tim Burton will produce. (Deadline)

Disney Slates ‘John Carter’ Against ‘Prometheus’ In Move That Should Last A Week

Penn Collins — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 20:34:00 +0000

The realization that Prometheus can’t push them around and that Tim Burton is just one man has caused Disney to move the dates of two huge 2012 releases. Playlist reports Disney is taking a stand against the Ridley Scott giant Prometheus by moving their summer blockbuster, John Carter of Mars, from June 8, 2012 to March 9, 2012, which pits the two sci-fi epics directly against each other. Of course, this is a chest-puffing move by Disney, and neither side will let their sales be cannibalized by the other, so look for another move in the not-too distant future. The only question will be who blinks first.

In order to make room for John Carter of Mars, the Mouse has moved their original offering that weekend, Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie, to October 5th, 2012. October dates always seem like a good fit for Burton’s fare, but the move was more likely made as he prepares to shoot Dark Shadows next. Plus, Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp have lives too, so maybe they asked Timmy to space that shit out. Frankenweenie is an animated feature-length adaptation of a short Burton did a number of years back, so while it may not be a blockbuster, it will probably appeal to Americans who have gotten to know and love Burton’s recent watered-down type of creepy.

The Search Continues for the Perfect ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’

Penn Collins — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 21:21:57 +0000

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter producers have been working since November to cast the titular character. While the field may be clearer, it’s still by no means clear, with Josh Lucas, Adrien Brody, Timothy Olyphant, Benjamin Walker, James D’Arcy, and Oliver Jackson-Cohen all reading for the part over the next two weeks, according to Deadline. Despite not having cast the protagonist, producers (who include director Timur Bekmambetov, Tim Burton, and Jim Lemley are working with the end in mind, as they have already announced a release date of June 22, 2012, confirming beliefs that Fox would make this a tentpole release.

For those not hip to the concept here, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter was originally a novel with a revisionist take on Lincoln‘s presidency, and by “revisionist” I mean the author asked, “Hey! Wouldn’t it be cool if Lincoln killed vampires?” Author and screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith has a pedigree in this type of mash-up, also having penned the sleeper best-seller Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. The man has a style, that’s for sure.

It goes without saying that AL:VH will be brought shot and shown in magnificent 3-D, which we can hope will be a more immersive experience than Burton’s last outing, Alice in Wonderland.

The casting decision is, of course, a big one, but let’s not give too much weight to the actor playing Lincoln. When you’ve got Abe Lincoln throwing axes at Dracula, you’ve clearly waved goodbye to realism a long time ago.

Jim Carrey To Star In Ripley’s Movie, Believe It Or Not

Geoffrey Golden — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:37:06 +0000

When you’re adapting a famous museum of freaks into a movie, who better to star than a man once famous for talking out of his butt?

A movie version of the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not franchise has been in the works for awhile now. Both Tim Burton and Chris Columbus have been attached at different points. Now it looks like Ripley’s will be written by Forrest Gump scribe Eric Roth and star Jim Carrey as globe-trotting newspaper columnist Robert Ripley. Personally, I would have cast Carrey as the guy who can stick a billiards ball, a tennis ball and a golf ball in his mouth and still whistle, but if they wanted my input, damn it, they should have asked me sooner.

Here’s a synopsis from Deadline:

The film is about Ripley’s search around the world for the most unusual people and places that he immortalized in his newspaper column. The locales were exotic and the sights were unbelievable, but the film is about Ripley’s journey to appreciate that the unusual people were more than just conquests to be cataloged.

So he learns that freaks aren’t just attractions who help sell tickets to museums. They’re also people. Real people. Real freaky people who will get tourists to buy tickets to a schlocky museum. That’s gonna be a very sweet ending, I can tell. (Deadline)

Johnny Depp Shooting ‘Dark Shadows’ In April With BFF Tim Burton

Col. Longshanks — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 19:54:23 +0000

Burton directs Depp on the fine art of pointing.

Johnny Depp has officially locked himself in for the big screen adaptation of Dark Shadows with his best friend in the whole wide world Tim Burton directing. Filming has been slated for April, which means it’s a big no can do from Depp to Snow White and the Huntsman. I believe Treat Williams is next on the casting list for that film.

Depp will play Barnabas Collins in the adaptation of the supernatural soap, which ran on ABC from 1966-1971. Seth Grahame-Green, of adding scary elements to classic novels and historical figures fame, rewrote a draft by John August. Burton will now take that draft and do a spiral staircase pass. You really can’t have enough of them in a one film. (Deadline)

Winona Ryder Jumps On Tim Burton’s ‘Frankenweenie’

Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Production on Tim Burton‘s stop-motion Frankenweenie 3D is ramping up and he’s bringing some of his besties onboard. Winona Ryder, Martin Landau, Catherine O’Hara, and Martin Short have joined as four voice actors who don’t command a Johnny Depp-sized salary.

It is surprising that Burton’s usual players, Depp and wifey Helena Bonham Carter are not attached to the project. Perhaps they’ll show up in smaller Easter Egg-ish roles. I’m sure Burton can get either to bark like a dog for the right amount of money. Or the right amount of absinthe. (Deadline)

Tim Burton Brings ‘Ed Wood’ Writers Into ‘Addams Family’

Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Tim Burton will reunite with Ed Wood screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski to bring dark humor and spiral staircases to the 3D stop motion animated The Addams Family. The new adaptation will be more faithful to the original Charles Addams drawings in The New Yorker, and less faithful to Christopher Llyod. The writers want "the tone to be as darkly funny and subversive as the Addams drawings, and we’ve come up with an approach that nobody has ever done before."

This pairing gets a huge thumbs up on my end. Ed Wood might be my favorite Tim Burton movie ever, and Alexander and Karaszewski also wrote The People vs. Larry Flynt, another fantastic biopic. The Addams Family seems to be more in Burton’s wheelhouse than in the writers’s, but perhaps they can rein Burton in when he decides that EVERYTHING needs to look like a bad LSD trip. (Deadline)