http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/conten...71ea0096dd7ba8d

Nice Picture, even if the content is a Time will tell. :rolleyes:

Anne x

Thanks Anne, definately a time will tell item!

THis is popping up over all the place now----I'm not quite sure what the appeal would be for Johnny---unless Dillilnger was that interesting of a person. I confess I'm not real familiar with him. On the other hand, if it means Johnny will be making a movie this spring that will be released next year, then I'm all for it! Yes, a time will tell for sure.

-Donna

Well, it looks like it's true. Variety posted this tonight. (There was a Hollywood premiere of ST???)

Johnny Depp goes 'Public'
Actor steps up to 'Enemies'
By DIANE GARRETT, MICHAEL FLEMING

Michael Mann and Johnny Depp will make "Public Enemies" for Universal.
Meeting hours before the Hollywood premiere of Depp’s "Sweeney Todd," the director and actor shook hands on a deal that triggers a March 10 start for "Public Enemies" in Chicago.

Drama is set during the great crime wave of 1933-34, when the government’s attempts to stop Depression-era criminal legends such as John Dillilnger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd transformed J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI into the country’s first federal police force. Mann wrote the script, based on Bryan Burrough’s 2004 tome.

Depp will play John Dillinger, considered the most notorious gangster of the era. Mann and his Forward Pass will produce with Kevin Misher and his Misher Films. Tribeca’s Jane Rosenthal will be exec producer.

While Mann had been mulling several projects that included a reteam with "Collateral" star Tom Cruise on "Edwin A. Salt" at Columbia, "Public Enemies" gained momentum in the past six weeks, and became a reality when Depp became available after Warner Bros. postponed "Shantaram" due to concerns about script, costs and the prospect of shooting in India with monsoon season approaching.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111797713...egoryid=13&cs=1

woohoo Thanks Maggie--I'll need to do some research on Dillinger then. I'm just glad we'll hopefully get another Johnny film in 2008.

As for the premiere, I think I read somewhere, mayber at JDR, that there was a screening in Hollywood tonight---maybe Johnny was there?

-Donna

I believe that Paramount showed it at their studio.

Well poo! I was so hoping that The Ginger Man would get made!

Well. today is the final day films can be screened for the HFPA for GG consideration. It makes sense that Johnny would do some glad-handing. We're only a week away from the announcement of the GG noms! :crossfingers

I was with you there, Karen. However, I'm very glad Johnny is spreading his wings director-wise.

Personally, I'm thrilled to hear about this project moving forward. The book, by Bryan Burrough, is a wonderful read and worthy of this group's attention. Dillinger was a ruthless bank robber and murderer who became public enemy No 1 for the FBI. But he was also a real charmer. He spoke to the press who then built a public persona that made him more sympathetic than other gangsters of the era. I can see the appeal for Johnny.

I'm excited it will shoot in my home town, Chicago. I worked at the Chicago Historical Society (now the Chicago History Museum) for 6 years and am quite familiar with some of the people in the book. I never walked by the alley next to the Biograph Theater without thinking, 'That's where Dillinger died.'

On another note, I have relatives who own a fabulous French bistro there. Who knows? Johnny has to eat, right?

FYI I checked Dillinger on Wilkipedia for a lark and he was a fascinating "bad" guy he made Bonnie and Clyde look like amateurs. Just glad that we might get a JD film in 2008. :thumbsup if this does happen. Anne r :)

Glad to hear that you think the book is worth reading!! woohoo I added it to the schedule for discussion next year! And thanks for the info about your home town. The guy HAS to eat somewhere! ;)

Wasn't he the one with the "lady in red"?

Ah yes ~ the Lady in Red. A perfect part for Julia Roberts! :D
Leener, thanks for the tips on Dillinger's persona and on the Chicago area. If the Historical Society/Museum is smart they'll put together a special walking/bus tour (if they don't have one already) to coincide with this movie!

Oh wow!!! I just read Johnnyfanatic's report from the premier and thinking I'll never get that close to Johnny and then I read this woohoo Chicago I can do!! Used to live there but now near Muncie Indiana. This city is KNOWN as the only town Dillinger wouldn't rob a bank in. He said we had too many trains going through to guaranty a get-away!! LOL Supposedly he hid money around here but none has ever been found. Will be interesting to see what happens. I will be keeping a weathered eye out around here for news! ;)

Since I had absolutely no qualms about falling for a murderous barber who hands over his victims for pie filling, doing the same for a machine-gun toting gangster should be a piece of cake. I'm excited! woohoo

And Chicago, Chicago, that wonderful town---it would be such a treat to have Johnny filming in the Midwest for a change! :crossfingers

Rose

Does he end up killing her?

The lady in red was actually in orange. There's a lot of mythology around Dillinger and other gangsters of that era. Public Enemies (as well as other books) disspell many of the myths.

BTW, hats (especially fedoras) were the fashion preference back then, so Johnny will feel right at home in costume.

Even though I don't really know a lot about the story - other than what has been mentioned here before - I'm already really excited for this movie. After all we'll get a new Johnny movie sometime next year, so that's a good thing!! ;) Besides it really sounds interesting and as for what I heard so far the part definitely sounds like it will fit Johnny. Oh and it will definitely help us getting over the postponement of Shantaram.

Dunno. But I think she sets him up to be killed. :unsure:

I think Johnny could play a Gangster easily. Dillinger will be a new challenge for him. I likethe fact he will try yet another different role/persona.



Yvonne in LA

Something very different. A true "bad guy". John Wilmot and Sweeney Todd were bad guys but with good reason. Dillinger was just bad. But with Johnny playing him, it'll be really hard to dislike him, even if he was evil. Sounds interesting.

Debbie

I was skeptical too until I saw the Variety article. Then I had to do some Dillinger research also.

I agree, Debbie. This is a big departure in a way. Dillinger is a much less sympathetic character than some of his others (although Dillinger didn't have the easiest of childhoods, according to the available material).

I think this could be a very interesting film.

WOO HOO! Thanks Sandsitive!! Keep those weathered eyes open for us!

sandsitive, I share your excitement about Johnny coming to Chicago. I actually live about 45 minutes away from there!! woohoo I honestly never thought in a million years that he would ever film a movie in Chicago, but I'm so excited! :snoopy I love the whole 1930s era. This sounds like a very interesting movie. And how great is it that we won't have to wait until 2009 to see a new Johnny movie in theaters! :)

Here's some interesting info about the night Dillinger was killed.....or supposedly killed. Wonder what ending the director will go with lol

http://www.prairieghosts.com/dillinger.html

Either way, I'll be at the theatre.... :rolleyes:

Wow! What a great article, sandsitive! I thought of Sands right away when I read Dillinger was shot in the eye. B) And there's no doubt Johnny would love the bit about the plastic surgery, knowing how he's always up for changing his looks. How macabre that people were reportedly dipping their hankies in his (JD's) (er, John Dillinger's) blood as a souvenir...yikes! Thanks so much for posting this interesting read! :thumbsup