Johnny Depp is set to star in “The Libertine,” a movie inspired by the Dominique Strauss-Kahn scandal, that will be directed by Brett Ratner, TheWrap has learned.
Ben Kopit wrote the script, which offers a comedic take on the international incident that saw Strauss-Kahn resign as managing director of the International Monetary Fund following allegations that he assaulted a hotel maid. A criminal case ultimately fell apart, though the economist settled a civil suit out of court.
The scandal was previously depicted in Abel Ferrara‘s drama “Welcome to New York,” which saw Gerard Depardieu play a character based on Strauss-Kahn. That film boasts a 71 percent rating on Metacritic, which may be tough to beat for Ratner, whose average career score on the site is 48 percent.
“The Libertine,” which will almost surely be retitled seeing as Depp already starred in a 2004 film of the same name, will find the actor playing a powerful French politician who is sentenced to house arrest in his fancy New York apartment as he awaits trial for sexual assault against, you guessed it — a hotel maid.
Ratner’s last two films behind the camera — 2014 action movie “Hercules” starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and 2011 comedy “Tower Heist” starring Ben Stiller — were mediocre performers at the box office, grossing $244 million and $152 million worldwide, respectively, on reported production budgets of $100 million and $75 million, not counting marketing costs.
Depp is coming off his own share of box office misfires, which include “Mortdecai,” “Transcendence” and “The Lone Ranger.” He next stars in Disney’s big-budget sequel “Alice Through the Looking Glass” and Kevin Smith‘s “Yoga Hosers,” both of which have received largely negative reviews.
The film’s producers and representatives for Ratner and Warner Bros. have been repeatedly denying the project’s existence for months.
For the record: A previous version of this story reported that Marion Cotillard was attached to co-star. Her representatives deny the producers’ claims that she is involved with the project.
19 of Johnny Depp's Most Outrageous Roles (Photos)
Pirates of the Caribbean: 2003
The franchise that made Depp -- and Disney -- very rich. "Pirates of the Caribbean 5" is scheduled for release in 2015, with Depp returning as Capt. Jack Sparrow.
The Lone Ranger: 2013
Depp plays Tonto, the Lone Ranger's trusty sidekick, in Disney's adaptation of the popular old radio serial.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: 1998
The actor channels gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson in the adaptation of his drug-fueled escapades.
Benny and Joon: 1993
Depp's fascination with top hats began with this quirky romance, where Depp showed off Charlie Chaplin moves.
Dead Man:1995
Depp plays an accountant in Jim Jarmusch's film.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: 2005
Depp's stylized getup in this remake turned off fans of the 1971 adaptation of the book starring Gene Wilder.
Alice in Wonderland: 2010
Depp as the Mad Hatter in what else? A distinctive chapeau.
Sweeney Todd: 2007
The actor played the killer barber with oddly graying hair.
Edward Scissorhands: 1990
Depp turned on the melancholy charm as Edward, a guy who hurts anyone he touches.
Ed Wood: 1994
The actor stars as filmmaker Ed Wood, a guy with a thing for angora sweaters.
21 Jump Street: 1987
He played an undercover cop at a hight school in the television drama that kickstarted his career and put him in the hearts of women everywhere.
Blow: 2001
The actor does a lot of cocaine in this biopic about cocaine smuggler George Jung.
Chocolat: 2000
Depp insisted on keeping all of the clothes from the movie to wear to the Oscars.
Cry Baby: 1990
John Waters directed Depp in this parody of teen musicals, which lampooned his pin-up image.
Dark Shadows: 2012
Depp poured on the makeup for his role as vampire Barnabas Collins in last year's misfire.
Finding Neverland: 2004
The actor got an Oscar nomination of his performance as J.M. Barrie, who wrote "Peter Pan."
From Hell: 2001
Depp plays a police inspector searching for Jack the Ripper.
Once Upon a Time in Mexico: 2003
He plays a CIA agent in Mexico in this movie.
Sleepy Hollow: 1999
Depp starred as Ichabod Crane in this adaptation of the Washington Irving story.
1 of 19
Johnny Depp has had his share of ups and downs at the box office, but his characters have rarely lacked for personality
Pirates of the Caribbean: 2003
The franchise that made Depp -- and Disney -- very rich. "Pirates of the Caribbean 5" is scheduled for release in 2015, with Depp returning as Capt. Jack Sparrow.