Johnny Depp To Play Whitey Bulger In New Movie

Eccentric movie man Johnny Depp is set to add gangster to his resume.

The vet actor is gearing up to play notorious Boston mobster Whitey Bulger in the upcoming movie "Black Mass." Directed by Barry Levinson, the flick -- based on the 2001 book Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob, written by former Boston Globe reporters Dick Lehr and Gerald O’Neill -- tells the story of the South Boston who used his political connects to become an FBI informant. Bulger was captured in June 2011 after 16 years of being on the Fed’s Most Wanted List, EW reports.

“I could not be more thrilled to have the biggest star in the world and Academy-Award winning director Barry Levinson to finally bring this incredible story to the big screen,” says Cross Creek Pictures president Brian Oliver, in a statement, noting they originally considered optioning the book in 2005. "Black Mass" expertly details the twists and turns of this highly complex story, painting a vivid portrait of Boston’s underbelly and its corrupt political machine, as well as exposing the worst scandal in FBI history. It’s also an examination of loyalty to family, Irish heritage, and South Boston.”

The film is set for a May 2013 release.

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