Whitey Bulger Drama BLACK MASS Courts Scott Cooper

Depp rekindles interest in role of crime kingpin…

‘Crazy Heart’ and ‘Out of the Furnace’ director Scott Cooper has reportedly entered into negotiations to rewrite and direct ‘Black Mass,’ Cross Creek Pictures and Exclusive Media’s drama about Boston crime kingpin turned fugitive Whitey Bulger.

Originally set up with Barry Levinson directing Johnny Depp and Joel Edgerton, theproject fell apart last year when Depp exited over a salary dispute. Now, according to Deadline, the ‘Lone Ranger’ star is looking to rejoin the crime thriller.

Scripted by Mark Mallouk, ‘Black Mass’ is based on Dick Lehr and Gerald O’Neill’s bestselling book ‘Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob.’

The book, published in 2001, tells the true story of Bulger, the brother of a state senator and the most infamous violent criminal in the history of South Boston, who became an FBI informant to take down a Mafia family invading his turf. However, after the FBI closed in on their targets, they double crossed Bulger and ultimately prosecuted him, along with his partner in crime and the original FBI agent working with him.

Cross Creek’s Brian Oliver and Tyler Thompson will co-produce the project with John Lesher and his LeGrisbi banner, and Nigel Sinclair and Guy East of Exclusive Media.