Ever since seeing Depp in the first poster for Sweeney Todd, I had begun to hope he would only play characters (from now on) that are, you know, characters. Something that requires additional make-up.
This is not the case of The Rum Diary, which Depp has boarded for Warner Independent.
Johnny Depp Cast for The Rum Diary
Depp will play Paul Kemp, a freelance journo writing for a rundown newspaper in 1950s Puerto Rico and surrounded by a bunch of lost souls bent on self-destruction. The journo was 22 when he wrote the autobiographical novel and had yet to develop his trademark gonzo style. It was written in 1959 but not published until 1998.
Bruce Robinson will write and direct the adaptation.
Depp previously starred in the bigscreen adaptation of Thompson's psychedelic-soaked adventures chronicled in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, published in 1972.
Depp, who just finished work on Sweeney Todd, is expected to do The Rum Diary after he wraps Shantaram, another adaptation about an Australian drug addict who resumes his life of crime after escaping to India.
Infinitum and King are producing that project with Plan B. Depp has been sticking close to King and Infinitum with the adaptation of Dark Shadows and the mini-bio, Sasha's Story: The Life and Death of a Russian Spy.
Add to Heffee!
