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Johnny Depp will reportedly star as James 'Whitey' Bulger in 'Black Mass' film adaptation

A movie adaptation of the book has long been rumored, but it's now reportedly moving forward and will soon begin production.

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Jon Furniss Photography/Invision/AP
Johnny Depp has reportedly signed on to portray James 'Whitey' Bulger in a film adaptation of the book 'Black Mass.'
  • By Molly Driscoll Staff Writer

A film adaptation of the book “Black Mass,” which details the rise to power of James “Whitey” Bulger, is reportedly back on track and will star Johnny Depp as Bulger.

The book by Dick Lehr and Gerard O’Neill, former Boston Globe reporters, was first released in 2000. Depp had been rumored to possibly take on the role before now, but the project failed to move forward. Now a new director, Scott Cooper of “Out of the Furnace,” will reportedly take the helm and Depp has signed on to portray Bulger, according to Deadline.

“The Dark Knight Rises” actor Tom Hardy is in talks to portray John Connolly, the FBI agent who was also a childhood friend of Bulger, according to Deadline.

The movie will reportedly begin production in May, but a release date has not yet been set.

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