Johnny Depp Shows Off Acting Talent In Monstrous 'Black Mass' Trailer [Pictures]

In 'Black Mass', Depp plays real-life crime boss and murderer Whitey Bulger, the brother of senator Bill Bulger (played by Benedict Cumberbatch). Throughout the 1970s, Bulger served as an FBI informant, earning him somewhat of a free pass with his own criminal enterprise, although the whole thing was a clever plan to expose and slow the growing power of a rival crime family that was trying to move in on his territory. 

More: Johnny Depp Terrifies As Whitey Bulger In The Trailer For 'Black Mass'

Benedict Cumberbatch as Senator Bill Bulger in 'Black Mass'

In the 1990s, when the truth about him was finally revealed, Bulger fled his native Boston and remained on the run for a decade. During this time, he spent twelve years in the FBI's top ten most wanted fugitives, at one point being second only to Osama Bin Laden. While 2009's 'Public Enemies' showed that Depp could competently portray a real-life historical criminal (John Dillinger in that case), Bulger is a more monstrous individual, without the 'Robin Hood' mentality and savvy media presence of Dillinger.  

More: Johnny Depp Set To Play Notorious Gangster Whitey Bulgar in 'Black Mass'

Kevin Bacon as Charles McGuire in 'Black Mass'

The film, which serves as an adaptation of the Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill book 'Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob', was directed by Scott Cooper, and is set to be released on 18th September 2015.

Johnny Depp is in heavy make-up for the role

David Harbour, Adam Scott and Joel Edgerton in 'Black Mass'

Joel Edgerton as John Connolly in 'Black Mass'

Peter Sarsgaard and Johnny Depp in 'Black Mass'

Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger in 'Black Mass'

Adam Scott as Robert Fitzpatrick in 'Black Mass'

Johnny Depp in 'Black Mass'