Johnny Depp Breathes Life Into the Rum Diary  7/31/07

Actor Johnny Depp is bringing Hunter S. Thompson's autobiographical novel The Rum Diary to the silver screen - seven years after he was announced as the leading man.

Depp was cast to play the role of Thompson in 2000, co-starring with Nick Nolte in the tale of a journalist's adventures as he moves from New York to a San Juan newspaper in Puerto Rico.

Benicio Del Toro and Josh Harnett were also appointed to star in the movie in 2002, but the actors, including Nolte, are no longer involved in the film.

The revived project will now be produced by Depp and The Departed filmmaker Graham King - who has acquired the full rights to the book.

The Rum Diary will be penned and directed by Withnail & I writer Bruce Robinson, with shooting expected to begin after Depp finishes filming his current movie, Shantaram with Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan.