Faded Youth offered up a first look at Johnny Depp as John Dillinger in Public Enemies, which also stars Marion Cotillard and Christian Bale. IMDb has this listed as 2009 release. Michael Mann directs the mob drama about cleaning up the streets back in the 1930s. Depp plays John Dillinger, who, according to Wikipedia:
…was an American bank robber, considered by some to be a dangerous criminal, while others idealized him as a latter-day Robin Hood. He gained this reputation (and the nickname “Jackrabbit”) for his graceful movements during bank heists, such as leaping over the counter (a movement he supposedly copied from the movies) and narrow getaways from police. His exploits, along with those of other criminals of the 1930s Depression era, such as Bonnie and Clyde and Ma Barker, dominated the attentions of the American press and its readers during what is sometimes referred to as the public enemy era, between 1931 and 1935, a period which led to the further development of the modern and more sophisticated FBI
Johnny Depp is so good.. He is one of my two main idols that I will always love and fight for
Your blog is getting better and better! Previous posts were good, but this one is just FABULOUS.
Alison Flynn, you know whats better than that grapefruit scene?
When Cagney wakes up, and realized that he fucked his boss’ squeeze, and that look on his face.
Of course the greatest gangster movie of the 1930s though, undisputedly….Howard Hawks’ SCARFACE.
Anyway Alexander, ADers in the forums are already saying how great PUBLIC ENEMIES will be and the several Oscars it’ll win, and I thought, “Didn’t they say that as well about AMERICAN GANGSTER before they shit all over it?”
Do people look back on themselves?
Screw it, I’m gonna review Milius’ DILLINGER for the forums.
“This aint been my day.”
Alexander, I remember Public Enemy. Loved James Cagney and the grapefruit scene. 🙂
I agree that John Milius’ Dillinger is quite good, rather underrated.
I doubt this is Johnny Depp’s Oscar film since, after reading the screenplay, I don’t think it yells “Oscar bait.” If he wins for this, he (and Michael Mann) will have to really pull some heavy stuff out of the material, a bit like Denzel Washington with Training Day. You often can’t judge these kinds of films solely by their screenplays, though.
Another little problem I have is that the title of the film, which is the title of the book it’s based on, reminds one too much of The Public Enemy from 1931, a real gangster movie classic. It’s a bit like calling a new ensemble comedy Dinner at Eight-Thirty or a sci-fi film A Space Journey.
Nevertheless, it’s Michael Mann and I’m sure he’ll find the real pulse of the film. I hope it’s his commercial hit, like DePalma’s The Untouchables, which allows him to make films he really wants to make for the rest of his career–starting with that DiCaprio “Hollywood Noir” project.
I’m psyched….and why not? Its Depp and Christian Bale…in the SAME FRIGGIN MOVIE….and its a Michael Mann crime movie.
Awesome.
And I agree with Mattos, John Milius’ DILLINGER was pretty darn good. He may be a gun-nut, but goddamn he could be a damn good filmmaker at times.
Mann had a slip with Miami Vice, but otherwise I think he’s been pretty solid.
This looks like a fun romp and not much else. I’ve always been entertained by Mann.
Great hopes for this film. But John Miliu’s 1973 version is a f&*%$#@*&¨&**g masterpiece, at the same level of stuff like “Bonnie & Clyde” (if not even best) and “Gun Crazy”
🙂
Maybe glam wasn’t the right word, Kristina. He looks plainer in this photo – somewhat uglied up.
Alison Flynn, when is Depp ever glam? As good looking as he is, he goes out of his way to look like a drowned rat in public.
Billy Bob Thorton should play him since they look exactly alike.
Wow, that cast sounds like a great ensemble to me. Who finally convinced Depp that he can look and act like a regular American Joe and do just fine?
2009 cannot come fast enough. I hope you’re right about the little gold guy Alison.
He looks very de-glammed in that photo. Maybe this role will be the one that wins him the little naked gold guy. Biopic deglam.