The ruthless smile on Johnny Depp’s face above as legendary mobster John Dillinger in the ’30s-set crime epic Public Enemies officially kicks off my anticipation for the flick. Simply imagining Depp and costar Christian Bale (as FBI hot shot Melvin Purvis) facing off for director Michael Mann (The Insider, Heat) wasn’t good enough I guess, not even with Stephen Dorff (S.F.W.) in the cast. How high are your expectations for this 2009 film? Hopefully it’s what Ridley Scott’s American Gangster was not: a hardboiled classic.
via Faded Youth
March 18th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
mann has down hits like heat colatteral and my fav the last of the mohicans
i think mann is better for making a gangster movie than scott was so i think it could turn out good
March 18th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I cannot express just how much I’m looking forward to this film.
March 18th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Depp is the man.
March 18th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
dude, johnny depp is an ageless wonder.
he looks 15 in that 1st pic.
March 18th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Omg i love Johnny Depp and have been there at the screen for three days he is so cute and he is so great to his fans he always comes out of his car at the end of a shooting of a screen and waves at us i myself bought a shirt that says home of the Wisconsin badger and wrote on it loves you and his personal assistant gave it to him then at night he came to sing autographs and i asked him if he got it and he said, “Oh yes that was you! I love it, i love you thanks so much I love it!”. He gave me a huge and i got tears in my eyes and he looked at me and said “thanks sweetie!” as i left and my eyes were watering he also said, “take it easy darling”. He is very sweet and caring and something i will always remember and e is really cute ad has a great accent! I love him so much!!
March 18th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
@ Emma
He gave you a huge …?
March 18th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
This is a ridiculous meeting of the minds…bale, depp and mann….i am currently in school for writing and one of the premises i had for one of my first movies was a Dillinger movie…if anyone could of beat me to the punch i rather it be bale, depp and mann…best in the biz…hopefully Depp doesnt decide to do the Versengetorix movie ive been working on so hard in school…but when im ready to make it hopefully hell star…but ever since i heard this film was getting made i was excited…and for bale to play melvin purvis is amazing…in the Dillinger story i couldnt stand purvis because he nails the guy who the reader routes for so much…hopefully bale brings a likablility to the role..i have full confidence in the whole cast and crew…
March 18th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
I was thinking the exact same thing - I really hope this is what “American Gangster” should have been.
I’m really pumped for this movie. Bale and Depp are amazing, but Mann is one of my favorite directors working today. Hopefully this’ll be huge.
March 18th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Hmm… I guess my previous comment got pwnd. I was hoping for a response, but I guess the “?!” was a bit rude.
Anyway, glad to see you changed up the error, Hunter. ;)
March 18th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
@ Kareem
Nothing rude about it dude. Cheers for pointing it out.
De Palma’s Untouchables habitually pops into my mind when I’m writing about this flick and I was a wee bit quick to post. ;)
March 18th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
cant wait, this movie is gonna be great
March 18th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
anybody heard anything about the script? im sure its great, jus curious. this is gonna be an amazingly successful film, cannot wait.
March 18th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
I just finished having a “Mann-othon” this weekend too. Mann is one of my favorite directers and character creators.
Mann + Bale + Depp? Let’s do this.
March 19th, 2008 at 4:13 am
No WAAAAAAY!!!!!
For the first time in my life, the one and only Johnny Depp is finally in Wisconsin!!!!! :-D
(*Happy Dance*)
It`s just my luck that i`ll probably never get to see him in person, even though he`s in my own backyard (*Pouts*)…But the movie is still going to be spectacular, and those shots of him are nothing short of AMAZING! Thank you soo much for posting them!
March 19th, 2008 at 8:35 am
ya he gave me a hug i was so happy! it was so cool! We have tons of photos of him too!
March 19th, 2008 at 9:55 am
I like Mann, Depp, and Bale, but don’t give a shit about another fucking gangster movie. Or gangsters themselves for that matter. Some genres should die.
March 19th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Robert,
I agree with your assesment, only that I wouldn’t apply it to the gangster genre. But the dance/step genre.
March 19th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Why the hate for American Gangster?
Amazing performances, interesting real life subject, Ridley Scott back on form and the first film in ages where I couldn’t believe 2 and a half hours had just gone by.
Definitely a future classic.
March 19th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Mann actually came to my apartment about a month ago, scouting locations. They’re going to be shooting in the apartment right below me on April 1 and 2. It was pretty surreal. They’ll be installing lights in my place for some external shots I guess. If I get anything good, I’ll be sure to pass it on.
March 20th, 2008 at 4:19 am
He looks so young in that first pic!! OMG! I’m in love!
March 20th, 2008 at 4:25 am
He looks so young!!
March 20th, 2008 at 6:54 am
OMG people dont complain about the movie its about an important part in history its an amazingly awesome story if u dont like itpay no attention to it! But i myself think this movie is going to be great and i cant wait to see it! Oh and yes i am the girl from above who got a hug from Johnny Depp! :) So HaHa!!
Oh ya and this movie is not a gangster movie it about a man who was wanted in 5 states for stealing and other things and people were chaseing after him for a really long time and didnt get cought for about 5 years and then died and they are useing his real car in the movie!
March 22nd, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I wish there was some way to get to the movie makers. Both my husband and I have have a parent who witnessed two separate situations where Dillinger was the main player. It would be a tiny side of authenticity if they added it to the movie. (No, our parents did not know each other, they just happened to be where dillinger was at the time.)
March 22nd, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Oops, forgot something: We live 10 minutes away from where they are filming next week in Crown Point, IN.
March 24th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
I Just got to shake Johnny’s hand three times! It was amazing…He is amazing. He looks only 25! He’s eyes were kind and his hands were so soft. It was AMAZING!!!!!!!!
March 26th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
if johnny depp is in the movie its going to be great. He is an amazing actor. I have seen and own almost all of the movies he is in. I wish I can just give him a huge….he’s the man!!!!!
March 28th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
hey my wife tried out as an extra for this film. keep an eye out for her. lol
March 28th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
If you missed Johnny pulling away Thu am (it was after midnight after all!) cut and paste this link into your browser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-pyb_LXVX8
Hope you enjoyed our little bit of Hollywood in the Hoosier state!
March 30th, 2008 at 11:17 am
JOhnny Depp is a brilliant actor, and he is able to entertain the masses. I truely enjoy watching his broad spectrum of acting skills looking foward to seeing just how much he will be able to accomplish as a brillant actor, as well as hoping that he is able to learn the spiritual lessons of this lifetime, Knowing that everyone is always watching his every move must make it very hard for any kind of spiritual growth. He is a VERY TALENTED ACTOR AND NICE LOOKING. intruding into his personal life and giving him no room to breathe may one day break him down. So people LEt the man enjoy some personal space. He gives so generously on screen. So how about rturning the favor and give him his well deserved privacy.
April 17th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
My son has a friend that went to the set in downtown Oshkosh and noticed a liquor store on that street. Prohibtion was in effect during the 1920’s and 30’s. Maybe this will be one of those quirky things that you see in some movies. (like an jet plane trail in a western.)
April 18th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
My great grandmother was born in 1903 in georgia and during the 20’s she was rumored to be a wild man crazy young woman and the black sheep of the family. She married a shady charactor who was bootlegger and gambler. he changed his name to sheppard after fleeing from the athorities in Sicily. My greatgrandmother never called him in public any other name the Mr. Sheppard. even sitting around other family members. he feventually dissappear after going on a business trip to chicago or new york not sure which.
April 18th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
looks like my comment isn’t here.
anyways… we took a pic of the liquor store in question while at the set the other day.
http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i259/frogger6/Depp%20Movie/?action=view¤t=SANY0021.jpg
it’s there alright.
and here’s a few of Depp greeting the crowd
http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i259/frogger6/Depp%20Movie/?action=view¤t=SANY0027.jpg
http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i259/frogger6/Depp%20Movie/?action=view¤t=SANY00252.jpg
April 19th, 2008 at 12:32 am
I HOW HARD IT IS FOR JOHNNY TO JUST GO FOR A QUIET WALK, TO ENJOY THE FRESH AIR WITHOUT BEING SWAMPED.
I’m sure it was exciting at first for Johnny, then once he lost his right to privacy. and the freedom to go into a bar have a drink and relax, like every other person in america can do without being harrassed. Maybe he loves all the attention, however I highly doubt it is easy to loss all personal freedom. Maybe one day I will get to ask. Johnny Depp if he feels like he has been sentenced to a prison where there is no possible chance of parole?
May 1st, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I live in Mooresville Indiana where John Dillinger grew up. I have always been interested in the story of Dillinger. I drive right past his house all the time. There have been rumors that the man shot in Chicago wasn’t even Dillinger. When asked by outsiders, the people of this town (in the past anyway) don’t really want to talk about Dillinger. I figure out of respect for his family, and who knows, maybe him! I am also a huge fan of Johnny Depp. Perfect movie for me. Can’t wait to see it!!!
May 4th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
This to the man himself:
Do you still believe??
May 24th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I live a block away from the Biograph Theater where they are currently filming the movie. I walked through the “set” on Lincoln Ave. this morning & all I can say is that it looked fabulous! If the movie is as authentic and as compelling as the reconstruction of the area, it’ll will be a classic.
I don’t say this lightly. Filming in Chicago neighborhoods is mostly a pain & a large inconvenience to the people who live there, but I’m looking forward to this movie.
July 4th, 2008 at 11:58 am
I like Depp, but there is nothing about him that makes me think of John Dillinger. It’s bad casting simply because Depp is a movie star, albeit a good actor too. Billy Bob Thornton is too old to play him (Dillinger was only 31 when he died), but someone along those lines would have been better. Warren Oates played Dillinger in John Milius’s 1973 film about him, and Oates was great in that film (though also a bit too old). I think someone like Ed Norton would have been a much better choice to play Dillinger. Or even some non-Hollywood newcomer could be better. Depp is handsome, charming, urbane, a mostly sophisticated gentleman. Dillinger was none of these things (except he was supposedly quite charming, albeit in a rougher, more folksy way). If Depp pulls this off I’ll give him all the credit in the world, but I can’t see it happening.