Depp buys books

Johnny Depp is about to start shooting SWEENEY TOOD in London for Tim Burton but he’s already thinking about his next project. The actor has set up four – count ’em four – new literary-based projects at Warner Bros. Depp and his Infinitum Nihil production company has acquired the rights to three new novels – “Inamorata,” “Affected Provincial’s Companion,” and “The People’s Act of Love” – as well as hiring D.V. DeVincentis (HIGH FIDELITY) to adapt Nick Hornby’s “A Long Way Down.” Depp’s company noted that the actor has not committed yet to star in any of these films but there is always the option that any of these, should they strike his fancy during development, could be his next starring role. Depp is hoping to get another literary adaptation, SHANTARAM, off the ground after SWEENEY wraps. That film was supposed to be his next but director Peter Weir left the project over creative issues with Depp. On top of all that, Depp was just nominated for a Golden Globe this morning for PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 2. Whew! It’s a busy time to be Depp!