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Johnny Depp Might Star In Nick Tosches' In the Hand of Dante

by Alex Billington
December 3, 2008

Speaking of pirates, Johnny Depp has yet another new project lined up. Depp's production company, Infinitum Nihil, has acquired the rights to Nick Tosches' novel "In the Hand of Dante" that was first published in 2002. The book is about Dante's "The Divine Comedy," and tells parallel storylines involving Dante in 14th-century Italy as he tries to complete the work, and a contemporary storyline involving Tosches, who is asked to authenticate what might be Dante's original manuscript. Depp is looking at potentially starring in the film as Tosches, not Dante. No word on who might write or direct yet.

Depp has a very busy schedule over the next few years, including another Pirates of the Caribbean and The Lone Ranger, so who knows when and/or if he will still show up in In the Hand of Dante,. It sounds like a rather fascinating story and I'm intrigued by the parallel storyline aspect. I'm probably more interested in seeing how a director might handle it, as it will pose quite the challenge. Tosches' novel is described as "schizophrenic yet at times brilliant" and "an exotic meal of a book, albeit one for strong stomachs." It reminds me a bit of something from Charlie Kaufman. Pick up a copy on Amazon for cheap.

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