BIGSTAR

Here are five things that you probably didn’t know about Johnny Depp’s latest film, “Dark Shadows.”

1. Underwear Models vs. White Hot

The first spark to create “Dark Shadows” came about while Johnny Depp and Tim Burton were on the set of “Sweeney Todd.” Depp noticed that vampires don’t actually look like real vampires in movies anymore. “A vampire should look like a vampire, and it was a kind of rebellion against vampires that look like underwear models,” said Depp.

Hmmm….A shot at the “Twilight” series perhaps?

2. #1 Fan

Johnny Depp was slightly obsessed with the TV show while growing up. Both he and Tim Burton admitted to running home from school to catch a glimpse of the dark soap opera. “I loved the show when I was a kid (and) I was obsessed with Barnabas Collins. I have photographs of me holding Barnabas Collins posters when I was 5 or 6,” said Depp.

3. Monster Mash

Burton felt it was necessary to pay homage to the original series by including some of the original cast in the grand ball scene. This cast includes: Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans), David Selby (Quentin Collins), Lara Parker (Angelique), and Frid (in his last onscreen performance).

4. Just a Phone Call Away

Another “Dark Shadows” fanatic, Michelle Pfeiffer gave Tim Burton a ring when she heard rumors surfacing about the film. “I heard Tim was doing the movie; I called him, which I never do – I hadn’t talked to him in 20 years – and I just said, ‘Look, I just need to go on record as saying I would love to be a part of this. I don’t know if there’s anything for me.’ And a year later, he called. And he had this great part for me,” says Michelle.

5. Hands Off

It is not surprising that Tim Burton felt that it was absolutely necessary that the vampires have extremely long fingers in the movie. Johnny Depp agreed until he had to take care of some business. “In every film that I’ve been lucky enough to do with Tim, there’s always some form of torture, and the nails were Tim’s idea. They were the length of the fingers and stuff, but it was okay because I had a troop of people who would help me go to the bathroom. They had to have treatment afterwards but they’re okay now. That is true,” Depp admitted.