Johnny Depp to play Alexander Litvinenko in the new movie about his murder in London.
Johnny Depp could be taking on the role of Alexander Litvinenko in the film adaptation of a book about the former Russian spy who was poisoned in London last year.
The Pirates of the Caribbean star has bought the rights to the book "Sasha's Story: The Life and Death of a Russian Spy", being written by Alan Cowell of the New York Times.
Depp's production company Infinitum Nihil is tipped to produce the movie, one of two to be made about the life of the Russian exile.
Blockbuster producer Michael Mann, who was behind Miami Vice and The Aviator, has announced he will direct a thriller based on another forthcoming book "Death of a Dissident", by Litvinenko's friend and family spokesman Alex Goldfarb. The book was coauthored by Alexander Litvinenko before his death.
John Malkovich, who currently stars in "Eragon," has reportedly been approached to play Litvinenko, Guardian reports.
Both books are due out later this and advance sales are already strong, according to reports.