Thanks to Johnny Depp, this movie is going to be a hit at the box office opening weekend (July 1, 2009). The story is set during the great depression with the focus on the FBI in stopping big time criminals Johnny Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd. The interesting aspect of this project, according to Wikipedia, is that Bryan Burroughs, the author originally pitched the idea to HBO for a mini series and after three years of going back and forth and him settling on writing the book rather than the script, the idea fizzled and he asked HBO to return the movie rights, which they obliged of course. After his book was published, he re-sold the movie to production companies representing Leo DiCaprio and Michael Mann, only to once again having the project shelved due to lack of interest. In 2007, finally with the backing from Paramount, the wheels were back in motion to develop a script and begin production with Johnny Depp and Christian Bale front and center, rather than Leo DeCaprio.
Not sure what to make of this one, perhaps I have a bias opinion, but honestly do we really need another gangster and FBI tug of war movie?
What’s been done before: The Untouchables (1987), Donnie Brasco (1997),Gotti (1996),Last Don II (1998), Dillinger(1973), Baby Face Nelson (1957)
B-lot buzz 