Macabre Drive-In Theater: Dr. Phibes

From Liz Smith:

THE JOHNNY DEPP/Tim Burton big-screen retooling of TV’s legendary Dark Shadows isn’t in release yet, though the trailers look fabulous. (This new version appears to be intentionally funny, as opposed to the unintended yucks sometimes generated by the series, which was taped live.)

But another Burton/Depp collaboration is already said to be in the works. These two have paired seven times over the years. They are the Laurel and Hardy of surreal cinefantastique.

Rumor has it that the boys will recreate the famous Vincent Price villain, Dr. Phibes. All horror fans recall 1971’s The Abominable Dr. Phibes, with Price as a mad doctor set on avenging the death of his wife. It was one of the late actor’s most beloved characterizations. (He reprised the role in Dr. Phibes Rises Again.)

Both Johnny Depp and Tim Burton have spoken of their fondness for Phibes. And also for Vincent Price. Indeed, Burton wrote the role of The Inventor in Edward Scissorhands specifically for Price, which was the actor’s final onscreen appearance. Now screenwriter and author William Goldstein has worked up a new Phibes novel, Dr. Phibes: In the Beginning. Goldstein is no stranger to the character, having penned similar novels when the two Phibes films were released in ’71 and ’72.

The book is in the hands of Warner Bros. and producer Jon Jashni, who has pitched it to Burton and Depp.http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/1908029

Monday, August 2, 2010

Abominable Rumour

Heard an abominable rumor on the House Of Phibes email list that someone wants to remake the Dr. Phibes film. They'll mash the two films into one and in their words "tell the whole story" which really isn't true since there was to have been a third film or maybe more. Take to classic films and make them into one most likely cheaply made film and you just know they'll add cheap ass cgi and make it in 3D. What could be worse?...yeah i know hiring Rob Zombie to direct.

I cringe at the idea of who they would cast as Phibes.