Dark Shadows (2004 WB Pilot)

Dark Shadows is a 2004 pilot shot for the WB, it seemed like it was set to be picked up as the network originally ordered a further 6 scripts. The idea for resurrecting this franchise came from John Wells and his production company, they then decided to include Dan Curtis into the production. Prior to this, mr. Curtis had been interested in doing it himself  and brought the idea to Fox in 2001 with a script written by Eric Bernt.

The pilot's script was written by Mark Verheiden, he originally wanted to set the story out of the view point of a much older David Collins. Dan Curtis and the network both disliked this idea very much.Verheiden then opted for a much more conservative approach, but still was able to give it its own identity and even introduce new characters to Collinwood. The subsequent script had been described by Peter Roth as the best script that he had read that year.

With the script ready, production was ready to begin on the pilot, Rob Bowen would have helmed the project but was forced to abandon it afer another project that he was attached to, received the green light and as such he was forced to abadon the project. PJ Hogan took over the director's chair. Production began on the 2nd of April 2004, and at the time production started, not all of the roles had been cast yet.

Filiming had been completed and 80% of the visual effects had been done when the WB executives decided to pull the plug. They stated that the script was wonderful and that the producing team was great as well bu



t that the resulting pilot had fallen flat as they did not agree with the vision of the director, even though they conceed he is accomplished in the film arena. At this time they already spent $6 million on the pilot and did not wish to spent any more money.

Since then the pilot has been screened at Dark Shadows conventions but is yet to be avaiable to the majority of the population. The Script, its full audio and two clips has leaked,

Cast
Alec Newman as Barnabas Collins

Mary Shelton as Victoria Winters

Ivana Milicevic as Angelique

Martin Donovon as Roger Collins

Blair Brown as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard

Jason Shaw as Joe Haskell

Alexis Thorpe as Kelly Greer

Jenna Dewan as Sophia

Kelly Hu as Dr. Julia Hoffman

Michael D. Roberts as Sheriff Patterson

Matt Czuchry as Willie Loomis

Doug Jones as The Railway Demon/Barnabas Double

Crew
Todd Mccintosh was the make up artist.

Bobby Buckowski was the Cinematographer

Kaja Fehr was the Editor

PJ Hogan was the Director and helped with editing

Mark Verheiden was the Script Writer

John Wells, Dan Curtis Mark Verheiden served as executive producers

David Rindner as VFX Artist

Resources
Barnabas Undead

The Dark Shadows Wiki

Darren Gross "Dark Shadows Staked" Fangoria 239 p62 January 2005