Tim Burton talks Dark Shadows’ “weird tone” and 3D

Last Updated on July 23, 2021

While speaking to Tim Burton about his exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Wrap slipped in a few questions about the forthcoming DARK SHADOWS, which began production in London earlier this month. Here is what he had to say when asked about filming:

“It’s been hard to kind of come here because I’m just starting, and it’s a weird tone and it’s a lot of actors and, you know, we’re not starting with the simple stuff; we’re sort of getting right in there. You like to kind of sneak up on it a little bit, but this one we just kind of slammed right into it.”

When asked if it will have a soap opera quality, Burton responded, “Yes, I don’t know. I’m early into it because it’s a funny tone, and that’s part of what the vibe of the show is, and there’s something about it that we want to get. But when you look at it, it’s pretty bad. I’m hoping that it will be – it’s early days, let’s put it – I’m very intrigued by the tone. It’s a real ethereal tone we’re trying to go for and I don’t know yet.”

And will it be in 3D? “I have no plans for that. I loved doing ALICE in 3D. FRANKENWEENIE, 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. At the same time, it’s great, some of it. It’s like ‘Yes or no!? 3D! Yes or no?!’ It’s like, well, you know, come on, whatever, some yes, some no.”

Burton directs off a script by Seth Grahame-Smith, as based on the series created by Dan Curtis. The cast includes Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Jackie Earle Haley, Eva Green, Bella Heathcote, Lee Miller, Chloe Moretz and Gulliver McGrath. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on May 11, 2012 via Warner Bros.