Michael Mann will direct his screenplay for Universal. Filming is slated to begin March 10, 2008, in Chicago, reports the trade paper.

Based on Bryan Burrough's 2004 book, "Public Enemies" is "set during the great crime wave of 1933-34, when the government's attempts to stop Depression-era criminal legends such as John Dillilnger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd transformed J. Edgar Hoover's FBI into the country's first federal police force," according to Variety.

Depp will swap his straight blades for guns as he tackles the role of gangster John Dillinger.

"Sweeney Todd" — which hits theatres Dec. 21 — reunited Depp with director Tim Burton. The duo have previously collaborated on "Edward Scissorhands," "Ed Wood," "Sleepy Hollow," "Corpse Bride" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." Other movie credits for the star include the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy, "Finding Neverland," "Blow," "Chocolat," "Before Night Falls" and "Donnie Brasco."

Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman and Sacha Baron Cohen join Depp in Burton's take "Sweeney Todd." John Logan ("The Aviator," "Gladiator," Never the Sinner) penned the DreamWorks/Warner Bros. film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim-Hugh Wheeler musical. The film also features Laura Michelle Kelly (Fiddler on the Roof, Mary Poppins), Jamie Campbell Bowen, Jayne Wisener and newcomer Edward Sanders. For more information visit sweeneytoddmovie.com.