First Official Look: Michael Mann’s Public Enemies

Empire Magazine has the first two photos from Michael Mann’s upcoming period crime drama Public Enemies. Based on Brian Burrough’s book “Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-43,” the film focuses on the government’s attempt to stop John Dillinger and his gang. Johnny Depp plays Dillinger, and Christian Bale plays famed FBI agent Melvin Purvis.

Update: /Film reader Christopher M sent over two more photos:

Empire has an exclusive interview with Michael Mann in their January issue. Public Enemies is set to hit theaters on July 1st 2009.

  • i have been waiting for this for years now. two of my favourite actors of all time, one of my favourite directors. i can not wait. looks good.
  • i hope that these two photos are stills from the movie. the cinematography looks great.
  • This reminds me of Road to Perdition. Can't wait.
  • John G
    i read the book this film is based on. the book has tons of great shoot outs, characters, plots and should make an outstanding film. the book debunks alot of myths about what happened during those days. Depp is too good looking to play Dillinger, but i'm sure his acting talent will make it work.
  • This film can't come quick enough for Depp, less he become pigeonholed to that Edward Captain Jack Sweeny Hatter character he plays so well...
  • Tired of the pasty white look eh? It was good in Dead Man.
  • We all agree Depp needs to dump Jack... But would any actor for that type of pay cheque..
  • I can't even begin to explain how excited I am about this movie.. w/ The Dark Knights release, this moved straight into #1 on my anticipation list. I'm talking ahead of everything you can think of, Avatar, Star Trek, etc.
  • Oh!!! It looks so awesome!!! Can't wait!!! :D
  • Now this movie looks very interesting!! Johnny Depp and Christian Bale look so cool. I can't wait to see the chemistry between them.
  • JOSH-freaking-PURVIS
    yay! finnaly! this is based on one of my relitives. im so excited. woop woop
  • which one is your relative?
  • I'm in this movie... well as an extra. Shot my scene back in March w/ Depp, was on set the longest of any of the extras. My account: http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?art...
  • Guest
    Daniel Day-Lewis would.
  • Guest
    Whatever happened to the Logan-penned thriller that was set in 1938 Hollywood?
  • This looks very interesting. 2 of my favourite actors and very interesting story!
  • Looks like it's Straight out of a Comic Book. That's not a problem, though
  • God, I love Empire. They seem to get everything first.

    And I totally agree, AlexTamayo.
  • hivemind_krj
    I worked with the b unit sound mixer/boom op of this on another film. From what I've heard, this film will be very, very good.
  • hahahaha
  • ajt
    I want a trailer now!!
  • Jesus Christ-ian Bale, I am so damn excited for this film.

    But seriously, how many layers of clothes does Bale have on in that pic?
  • Dillon
    Am I the only one aboard the whole Johnny Depp looking CG here train?
  • With Depp and Bale attached, this movie is already going to garner a huge audience. Hopefully this movie delivers and doesn't overly-rely on the names involved.
  • I still only see Depp as that weird guy from the Secret Window
  • I love the movies of Michael Mann (except Miami Vice), i love Johnny Depp (needs more serious roles) and i love Christian Bale. I can't wait to see that movie.
  • This is gonna be great...Good Director, Great Actors, and Awesome story....how can this not be good??? Def gonna be on my list for 09....
  • I can't get George Jung out of my head when I see Depp.
  • It's the trifecta of awesome going on here. Mann, Bale, and Depp. One of the things I love about Mann is he's one of the few directors in the business who makes his actors "work" for their roles. No matter what their hierarchy is.

    This film is gonna be huge I think.
  • You mean the era when people used to actually "dress" up to just go outside? He would look better in a 10XXL silk shirt with a dragon print on it I think.
  • And he's a Rare kind...
  • I really hope Mann can return to good form with this movie. Dillinger is such an interesting figure. I really hope this movie turns out better than his recent efforts. The stills look great, so my hopes have been gotten up.
  • That reminds me I need to break out R2P and give it a gander before this film comes out. Nothing gets me more pumped than watching a good movie set to the same time period.
  • Donkey Punch
    This looks like such an amazing movie. Mann, Depp, and Bale and it is set in one of my fav time periods for movies. I have wood!
  • It reminds me of Road to Perdition as well. Which means I agree with Freddie and I'm going to have to rewatch it now. Not that that's a problem seeing as I fucking love that movie and I think that now it's really underrated. Pretty much anything Sam Mendes touches turns to awesomeness.

    I have to say...even though Depp and Bale are two of my favorite actors and Michael Mann is obviously amazing, I wasn't really all that psyched for this movie until now. Those stills look sick. I am also happy to see Depp in a non-goth-weirdo role as much as I am an apologist for his association with those types of characters. Even though I feel like I am the ONLY one who liked Charlie and the Chocolate Factory more than the original, I prefer to see Depp in more straight-laced roles seeing as Finding Neverland is one of my favorite movies.

    Anyway, I digress...this looks promising.
  • Film looks good, though is it just me or are you all getting a little over Christian Bale. Love the guy but he's gona be in two films that I'm looking forward to next year T4 and this..can't help but think that he is oversaturating the market.
  • Lauren
    Johnny hasnt done a serous role like this since finding neverland

    watever johnny does i am right behind him

    since im a big fan of his

    and hes sooo smexy!!!!

    cnt wait!
  • Sue
    Too much Christian Bale? NEVER!! I could watch him all day doing nothing! I was an extra in Public Enemies (Inmate at the women's prison) and was quite disappointed Christian and Johnny were not in my scene. While beautiful, I wasn't psyched to watch Marion Cotillard all day! I can't wait for it to hit theaters.
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