It seems a long-gestating Tim Burton and Johnny Depp collaboration has new life with the addition of a new writer. Deadline New York is reporting that Seth Grahame-Smith has signed on to write Dark Shadows.

The article also states that, with the new writer on board, the film is scheduled to start shooting in January. It was said that Grahame-Smith landed the gig from the strengths of his novel Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which is being adapted into a feature film with Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov producing, as we reported back in March.

It was also said that Grahame-Smith will be crafting a new take on the script. John August was the first writer attached to the project.

We'll be sure to keep you posted on any further news regarding Dark Shadows as soon as we have more information.