Johnny Depp says there was a 'huge responsibility' in taking on the role of Jimmy 'Whitey' Bulger in his latest film Black Mass.
Johnny Depp
Depp is set to return to the big screen in November with the new gangster film, which follow Bulger's rise as one of the most infamous gangsters in Boston's history and an FBI informant.
Black Mass played at the BFI London Film Festival over the weekend and Depp was on the red carpet promoting the film.
Speaking on the red carpet at the festival, Depp said: "There's a huge responsibility, no matter who that person is. With Jimmy Bulger, it was really a question of what is the approach into that man? I felt the most pure approach was to approach him as a man and to investigate the man prior to his extreme right turn."
Black Mass sees Depp team up with Benedict Cumberbatch for the first time as they play brothers Jimmy and Billy Bulger - one goes on to become a gangster while the other goes into politics. And Depp called Cumberbatch one of the 'most talented actor' making movies at the moment.
He continued: "He has become a brother. Benedict is one of the most talented actors out there, without question. He is also... he is not looking for the spotlight, as some actors do. He came in and did such a terrific job."
Black Mass sees Scott Cooper in the director's chair, while Joel Edgerton, Jesse Plemons, and Kevin Bacon are just some of the other names on the cast list.
Depp is no stranger to the gangster genre with Donnie Brasco and Public Enemies, but this is his first big screen outing since Mortdecai at the beginning of the year.
Depp's performance as Bulger is surrounded in Oscar whispers and we could see him in the Best Actor Oscar race at the beginning of next year.
Black Mass is released 27th November.
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