According to The Hollywood Reporter, two more big names have been added to the already impressive line up for Michael Mann’s new gangster flick Public Enemies, with David Wenham and Stephen Graham joining the cast.
The film is an adaptation of Brian Burrough’s book with the ludicrously long title of Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-43, which focusses on how the American government tried to stop John Dillinger and his gang.
Johnny Depp is set to play the infamous Dillinger, while Christian Bale will play the less famous FBI agent Melvin Purvis. Also starring in the movie will be Marion Cotillard, Channing Tatum, Giovanni Ribisi and Stephen Dorff.
Wenham and Graham have signed up to play members of Dillinger’s gang, with Wenham portraying Pete Pierpont, and British actor Graham bringing Baby Face Nelson to life on the big screen.
Shooting begins next month in Chicago, and while I haven’t read the book, the true story should make for an intriguing movie. With Michael Mann directing, and the cast he has assembled, this should be a brilliant slice of cinema. I am especially looking forward to seeing Depp as Dillinger… which should be worth the ticket price alone.
