The Johnny Depp-starring Whitey Bulger biopic BLACK MASS, which has been in the works, both with and without Depp, is finally taking solid shape. Warner Bros. has just signed on to co-finance the ambitious historical drama, with an eye toward releasing it in October 2015.
In addition, it looks as though Joel Edgerton – and not Tom Hardy – will play the crucial second leading role in the film, that of Bulger’s childhood friend John Connolly. Edgerton was involved in BLACK MASS at an earlier time, when Barry Levinson was scheduled to direct. His name subsequently disappeared and was replaced by his WARRIOR co-star Hardy. However, now it looks as though Edgerton has jumped back into the ring and will square off against Depp.
The film is based on the book “Black Mass: The True Story Of An Unholy Alliance Between The FBI And The Irish Mob.” Here’s the tome’s synopsis:
John Connolly and James “Whitey” Bulger grew up together on the tough streets of South Boston. Decades later in the mid-1970s, they met again. By then, Connolly was a major figure in the FBI’s Boston office and Whitey had become godfather of the Irish Mob. Connolly had an idea, a scheme that might bring Bugler into the FBI fold and John Connolly into the Bureau’s big leagues. But Bulger had other plans.
Production is scheduled to begin in eight weeks in Boston; look for it in October ’15.