(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Johnny Depp has reportedly been sinking gallons of green tea in a bid to lose weight.

The 47-year-old Hollywood actor is required to look gaunt for his role in upcoming movie Dark Shadows. Set for release in 2012, the film is a gothic-horror tale revolving around the adventures of vampire Barnabas Collins and his run-ins with various monsters, witches, werewolves and ghosts. Johnny is set to portray lead character Barnabas, and is thought to have been sipping plenty of green tea lately as it believed to assist weight loss.

According to British newspaper The Sun, Johnny needs to shift [many pounds] for the part and is doing it by sinking gallons of green tea.

Filming for the movie which will be directed by Johnnys friend and frequent collaborator Tim Burton is due to begin in April. It is thought the star wants to carry on with the diet for the next few months, ensuring hes at his slimmest when shooting starts.

Johnny is aiming to get down to 140lbs. so he looks as gaunt as possible, reported the publication.

The A-list star is also said to be supporting his tea regime by filling himself up with plenty of low fructose fruit such as pineapple and strawberries. (C) Cover Media