Johnny Depp has been rumored to be starring in THE RUM DIARY for years now and in 2004 it seemed like the film was getting close with Josh Hartnett and Benecio Del Toro among those ready to co-star. Obviously the film never got off the ground and we were left wondering if the Hunter Thompson adaptation would languish in development hell forever. Not so!, says Depp. The actor has officially signed on to star in and produce the film, with filming scheduled to begin early next year after Depp wraps SHANTARAM. Depp will star as the Thompson-esque character of Paul Kemp, a US writer who moves to Puerto Rico to work for a newspaper. There he finds love, jealousy and booze among his colleagues (huh...kinda sounds like our trip to San Diego this past weekend...). No additional cast was announced so it's unclear whether Depp can convince Hartnett or Del Toro to return (or even if their schedules allow it). Bruce Robinson (WITHNAIL & I) will write and direct the adaptation for Depp and fellow producer Graham King (THE DEPARTED). Depp recently wrapped SWEENEY TODD for Tim Burton and Warner Bros., which will hit theaters this holiday season.
Extra Tidbit:
Thompson was only 22 when he wrote the novel.
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3:25AM on 07/31/2007