Johnny Depp Confirmed for Transcendence; Working on Black Mass This Summer

Christopher Nolans Oscar-winning cinematographer going back to Memento, Wally Pfister is moving over to the directors chair on the sci-fi project Transcendence. Johnny Depp lined up for the male lead role four months ago; meanwhile, on-the-rise stars Emily Blunt (Looper), Rebecca Hall (Iron Man 3) and Rooney Mara (Side Effects) are reported to be circling the role of Depps wife in the motion picture.

We now have official confirmation that Depp is a lock for Pfisters feature-length directorial debut, which is being prepped to start production in April. The scheduling works out nicely, following Depp attaching himself to the Whitey Bulger flickBlack Mass earlier this month; as it stands, the true-crime biopic wont be shooting until this summer (rather than in May, as was originally reported), so Depp should be able to headline both films.

Transcendence is based on a screenplay written by relative newcomer Jack Paglen, with additional development by Annie Marter (Meet Bill) and revisions handled by Noah Oppenheim (The Maze Runner). Depp is reported to be playing a scientist whose brain is downloaded into a supercomputer, making him and his! collaborators (including, his wife)targets for a terrorist groupfounded on anti-technology hysteria. Its a socially-relevant piece of cinema dealing with modern sci-fi issues, for sure, much like Nolans next directing effort Interstellar.

Christopher Nolan and Wally Pfister filming The Dark Knight Rises

Meanwhile, Oscar-winner Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Bugsy) is directing Black Mass, working from the script by relative newcomer Mark Mallouk thats based on the non-fiction book Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob, as written by former Boston Globe reporters Dick Lehr and Gerald ONeill.

Here is the official synopsis:

Black Masstells the true story of Whitey Bulger, the brother of a state senator and the most infamous violent criminal in the history of South Boston, who became an FBI informant to take down a Mafia family invading his turf. However, after the Feds closed in on their targets, they double crossed Bulger and ultimately prosecuted him, along with his partner in crime and the original FBI agent working with him.

Depp, of course, is starring as Bulger, who is very much the sort of larger-than-life personality in the actors wheelhouse. By comparison, hisTranscendence role calls for a more buttoned-down and everyman performance. That should be welcome by those whove been waiting to see the actor change pace followin! g his qui! rky roles inAlice in Wonderland, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Dark Shadows and The Lone Ranger (yes, were ignoring his comparatively normal roles in The Tourist and Rum Diary, which far less people went to see in theaters).

Which Depp project are you more interested in, Transcendence or Black Mass? Do they sound equally appealing (or not)? Let us know in the comments section.

-

Source: Alcon Entertainment

"Follow us if you want to live."