Benedict Cumberbatch Set For Whitey Bulger Film

He'll replace Guy Pearce in the Johnny Depp-starring drama

Benedict Cumberbatch Set For Whitey Bulger Film

by James White |
Published on

Benedict-Cumberbatch-Attending-Black-Mass

Depending on which report you read, the crime drama based on the real life tale of Boston mobster Whitey Bulger is either still named Black Mass or has returned to untitled status. Still, however it ends up, the film is in production now, with Benedict Cumberbatch and Adam Scott as the latest additions{ =nofollow}.

Cumberbatch is replacing Guy Pearce in the film, which will chronicle the story of infamous Boston crime figure, played by Johnny Depp. Bulger masterminded a violent gang in Boston while also reportedly turning federal informant to take down rivals. It seemed to be working out well – particularly with corrupt FBI agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) helping to smooth things – but when the Bureau began making arrests, agents double-crossed Bulger and prosecuted him as well.

Bulger fled in 1994 and was captured in 2011 in California. Cumberbatch will be Senator William ”Billy” Bulger, a career politician who claimed when questioned that he wasn’t aware of the extent of his older sibling’s criminal activities. Scott joins the cast as FBI agent Robert Fitzpatrick, marking a rare dramatic turn for the man better known for Step Brothers and sitcom Parks And Recreation.

Dakota Johnson, Juno Temple and Jesse Plemons are all board Scott Cooper’s new film, which he’s re-written based on Mark Mallouk’s earlier adaptation of the book about Bulger by Dick Lehr and Gerard O’Neill. Expect to see this one, we'd imagine, in the second half of 2015.

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us