JohnnyDepp-Zone.com

Johnny Depp has arrived in Chicago to prepare his role as John Dillinger in Michael Mann’s film PUBLIC ENEMIES. Chicago newspaper columnists report Depp sightings in the Windy City last weekend. Here’s a brief report from Stella Foster of the Chicago Sun-Times: “Sexy actor Johnny Depp, who is in town to film director Michael Mann’s movie PUBLIC ENEMIES, [. . .] has been busy getting to know the happening spots in our great town and where to find great Italian food. Depp, who has always made the ladies swoon and was Oscar-nominated for his starring role in SWEENEY TODD, dined at the tasty LaScarola on Grand Saturday (March 1st) with Mann. (Actual filming might start around March 17.)

“Depp and Mann, who is a masterful director and known for such films as MIAMI VICE, ALI, COLLATERAL, and HEAT, were in with a few other actors and dined hearty on pasta, veal chops and steak. I understand from one of the customers, who enjoyed just looking at the gorgeous Depp, that he was very congenial . . . but folks were respectful and didn’t bother him for autographs. How nice. Also, around midnight Friday (February 29th) Depp, wearing his trademark hat, enjoyed hearing Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Kurt Elling at the Green Mill. And once again, patrons allowed Depp to just enjoy the ambience and the music. ” Another source reports that Johnny Depp dined at Gibson’s on Sunday night, March 2nd, in a private room upstairs.

The Zone thanks Emma for both stories–you can read more about Johnny in Chicago on the Zone’s Pit. –Part-Time Poet

If you have always wanted to be in the movies, if you have a lot of patience and some time free in the spring, and if (important if) you meet the size requirements and have “a great face,” PUBLIC ENEMIES may be looking for you! The Michael Mann film, which stars Johnny Depp as 1930s bank robber John Dillinger and Christian Bale as his FBI nemesis, Melvin Purvis, will hold an open casting call for extras on Friday, March 7 in Milwaukee and on Saturday, March 8 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Duane Dudek, film critic for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reports that “auditions for nonspeaking roles in the film PUBLIC ENEMIES will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 7, at the Italian Conference Center, 631 E. Chicago Street,” in Milwaukee.

“The requirements for Friday’s audition are specific,” writes Dudek. “First, the casting directors are looking for ‘people with great faces.’ Men should be no taller than 6 feet 1 inch tall, and women no taller than 5 feet 8 inches tall and no larger than a size 12. Men should wear a dark suit, overcoat and dress shoes. Hair should be kept long. Women should wear a dark dress or skirt and sweater, overcoat and medium heel. Women are advised to set their hair in curlers the night before and come to the audition with their hair brushed out. Also, you need to bring a recent color photograph of yourself.” Be sure to have a pen to fill out the registration card, too.

Jeff Bollier of The Northwestern reports that a PUBLIC ENEMIES casting call will take place on Saturday, March 8, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, at Carl Traeger Middle School, 3000 W. 20th Ave. Extras Casting Director Joan Philo said the casting call will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Height and size requirements are the same as the Milwaukee call. Ms. Philo is hoping that potential cast members will get into the spirit of the film by dressing in something other than jeans for the casting call. “We’re hoping people will dress up for us so we can get an idea of what they’d look like in a 1930s period piece,” Ms. Philo told The Northwestern. For more details, go to the Web site of the casting agency, Joan Philo Casting, www.joanphilocasting.com, and click on the “Public Enemies” icon on the left. Many thanks to Emma for breaking the news! –Part-Time Poet