Bale to Join Depp in Public Enemies
January 11, 2008

Now this is a tale of two powerhouses. Reuters reports today that Christian Bale is in final talks to join Johnny Depp in Public Enemies, a move that would unite two of the top actors in Hollywood and make the flick instantly one of our most anticipated of the year. The Hollywood Reporter broke the story that Christian Bale is about to sign on to the Depression-era crime drama that is being helmed by Michael Mann. The film is an adaptation of Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-43 by Bryan Burroughs and is being set up at Universal. The film will follow the attempt by the US government to stop the criminals Baby Face Nelson, Pretty Boy Floyd, and John Dillinger, the role already assigned to Johnny Depp.

Christian Bale is in talks to play the good guy, the unfortunately named Melvin Purvis, the man that led the manhunt for Dillinger and the guy who captured more public enemies that any FBI agent in American history. Purvis was the man who notoriously exclaimed, "Stick 'em up, Johnny" when he confronted Dillinger outside the Biograph Theatre in Chicago, which Dillinger lost his life behind when he was shot dead by FBI agents. Ben Johnson played Purvis in the movie Dillinger. Bale knows Chicago well, considering he shot both Batmans in the Windy City. Public Enemies will start filming in Chicago later this winter and in other midwest cities.

Christian Bale is also going to go and film a fourth Terminator movie soon, presumably after Public Enemies. That film, to be directed by McG is tentatively called Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins. Hmmmm. Christian Bale is probably most well-known for playing the Caped Crusader in Batman Begins and this summer's Dark Knight. You can also catch the incredible actor on DVD in Little Women, The Portrait of a Lady, Velvet Goldmine, American Psycho, Shaft, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Laurel Canyon, Reign of Fire, Equilibrium, The Machinist, Harsh Times, The New World, Rescue Dawn, The Prestige, and 3:10 to Yuma. His role in I'm Not There is still playing in a few theaters.

For more casting news, check out our stories on GI Joe, Bond Guy, and Bond Girl.