Johnny Depp has been confirmed to play the infamous Irish-American mob boss James 'Whitey' Bulger in the upcoming film Black Mass.
Bulger, 83, was the notorious godfather of South Boston's organized crime underworld in the 1970s and 80s. He became an FBI informant in 1975, but after an apparent tip-off from a corrupt FBI agent, he went into hiding again, according to Sky News. He was on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List until he was arrested again in 2011.
Bulger is "currently awaiting trial on 19 counts of murder," reports Sky News, "plus charges relating to drug dealing, extortion, money laundering and conspiracy."
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The film Black Mass will follow Bulger's rise to prominence as a mobster, as well the FBI corruption scandal surrounding his informant deal and eventual escape in 1994.
"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," said Cross Creek Pictures director Brian Oliver in a statement provided by Entertainment Weekly.
According to EW, the film was adapted from a 2001 book written by former Boston Globe reporters, Dick Lehr and Gerald O'Neill, called Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob.
"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," said Oliver.
Black Mass is scheduled to begin shooting in May 2013.