Johnny Depp to play Irish mob boss Whitey Bulger in new film

Johnny Depp is to play notorious Irish mob boss Jame 'Whitey' Bulger in a film based on the book Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob.

Bulger was arrested in 2011 after being on America's most wanted list for 15 years. Depp will team up with director Barry Levinson for filming this May, having previously working together on the hit gangster film Donnie Brasco.

In a statement on their site, the film's producer Brian Oliver said 'Black Mass'expertly details the twists and turns of this highly complex story, painting a vivid portrait of Boston's underbelly and its corrupt political machine, as well as exposing the worst scandal in FBI history. It's also an examination of loyalty to family, Irish heritage, and South Boston.'

Black Mass is the second film based on Bulger's life to be announced, with Ben Affleck's offering set to have Matt Damon portraying the gangster, according to Yahoo.