Johnny Depp at the Dark Shadows UK film premiere at the Empire Leicester Square, London. Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire

Hollywood star Johnny Depp described working with Michelle Pfeiffer and Eva Green as “a dream come true” at the premiere of his new movie.

The 48-year-old, who plays vampire Barnabas Collins in Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows, had only compliments for his leading ladies at the film’s European premiere in London’s Leicester Square.

“Every day was a real treat, getting into the ring with Michelle and Eva. Working with them was a dream come true,” said Depp, who also produced the film.

Hundreds of fans - some arriving from Australia, Argentina and Italy - waited for hours to catch a glimpse of Depp. Some had been waiting for 13 hours.

Former Bond girl Green, Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Bella Heathcote, Chloe Grace Moretz and director Burton joined Depp on the purple carpet.

Green, who looked elegant in a navy velvet gown by Tom Ford, returned the praise, saying: “Johnny is a chameleon actor: he is very intense, very brave and he takes risks.”

Burton revealed the idea for the big-screen adaptation of the 1960s cult TV series came from Depp.

“This was the project he wanted. This was one of the rare times where he, as a child, wanted to play the part,” he said.

Dark Shadows, also starring Jonny Lee Miller and Jackie Earle Haley, opens in cinemas on Friday.