Christian Bale in talks to join Michael Mann's PUBLIC ENEMIES, starring Johnny Depp

Exciting news! Christian Bale is in negotiations with director Michael Mann to join the film PUBLIC ENEMIES, starring Johnny Depp as the 1930s bank robber John Dillinger; both Variety and the Hollywood Reporter are carrying stories today (January 11th) reporting that Bale would play Dillinger’s nemesis, the FBI agent Melvin Purvis. Purvis “led the FBI’s manhunt for Dillinger and captured more public enemies than any other agent in FBI history,” says the Hollywood Reporter. “It was Purvis who uttered, ‘Stick ’em up, Johnny,’ when he confronted Dillinger in Chicago.” Production of PUBLIC ENEMIES will start in Chicago and other Midwestern locations in March. It is not expected to conflict with Bale’s commitment to film TERMINATOR SALVATION: THE FUTURE BEGINS, in which he plays hero John Connor; that film will follow PUBLIC ENEMIES.

The Zone thanks Theresa for posting the Variety article and Emma for posting the one from The Hollywood Reporter; you can read both on the Zone’s News & Views forum. –Part-Time Poet