Johnny Depp to play Whitey Bulger

Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger? Its in the works, according to the authors of Black Mass. The Oscar-nominated actor whos recently been a pirate, a vampire, and the Mad Hatter will play Bulger in a Barry Levinson-helmed, Mark Mallouk-penned adaptation of Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob, the Bulger book written by former Boston Globe investigative reporters Dick Lehr and Gerard ONeill. Deadline.com reported the news about the project Saturday night, saying that production would begin in May. No word on location. Lehr told us Sunday that he believes Depp (inset) will make a fine Whitey. Hes certainly one of the best actors of our time and he can certainly fill any role. ONeill added: Hes got Donnie Brasco under his belt. Now hell have Whitey Bulger there, too. The news makes us wonder about the fate of Ben Afflecks plans for a film about the former Boston mob boss. Affleck told us at a Boston screening of Argo in September that he already had an original script in the works by Terry Winter, of Boardwalk Empire, and that Matt Damon was all set to play Whitey. Bens brother, Casey, would play Bulgers brother Billy in the film, which Affleck would direct. Affleck said, Its one of those things: If you do Whitey, you better make damn sure you execute and make a good movie.

ONeill explained that before Black Mass made its way into the hands of the projects current producer, Brian Oliver, of Cross Creek Pictures, Harvey Weinstein had optioned the book for Affleck and Damon through Miramax. That option lapsed after a year. T! he first director attached to the project once Oliver was in charge was Jim Sheridan, of In the Name of the Father.

Deadline.com quotes Cross Creeks Oliver as saying that he 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. We have been working on this project since we originally optioned the book in 2005. Black Mass expertly details the twists and turns of this highly complex story, painting a vivid portrait of Bostons underbelly and its corrupt political machine, as well as exposing the worst scandal in FBI history. Its also an examination of loyalty to family, Irish heritage, and South Boston. Olivers producing credits include Black Swan and Ides of March.

News of the movie comes at a great time for Lehr and ONeill. Their new book, Whitey: The Life of Americas Most Notorious Mob Boss, will be released Feb. 19. Its one of two Bulger books scheduled to hit bookstores in the next few weeks. Whitey Bulger: Americas Most Wanted Gangster and the Manhunt That Brought Him to Justice, by Globe writers Kevin Cullen and S helley Murphy, will also be released soon, by Norton. Asked whether hed have a cameo in the Black Mass film, ONeill joked that he wouldnt mind. I would hand somebody a gun, sure. But I dont see my! self as a! butler.