Johnny Depp is a Stone Cold Gangster in the New 'Black Mass' Trailer

Johnny Depp is still as much of a risk taker today as earlier in his career. That much hasn't changed. The problem is that his fans don't really care. Unless he's wearing mascara and steering a pirate ship, they don't want to see him. But he's still out there taking on some potentially meaty roles, and playing infamous mobster Whitey Bulger in Black Mass may be the best role he's had in years.

Directed by Scott Cooper (Out of the Furnace), the film tells the true story of Bulger, the Irish gangster who joined with FBI agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) to take down the Italian mob. Bulger would go on the run for nearly two decades, protected by his old friend Connolly, until his capture in 2011. Here's the full synopsis:

In 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly persuades Irish mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (Johnny Depp) to collaborate with the FBI and eliminate a common enemy: the Italian mob. The drama tells the true story of this unholy alliance, which spiraled out of control, allowing Whitey to evade law enforcement, consolidate power, and become one of the most ruthless and powerful gangsters in Boston history.

The cast is truly phenomenal with Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemons, Kevin Bacon, Rory Cochrane, David Harbour, Dakota Johnson, Julianne Nicholson, James Russo, Adam Scott, Corey Stoll, Juno Temple, and Jeremy Strong co-starring. But this is clearly Depp's show, and he's showing an icy ruthlessness that we rarely get to see. 

Black Mass opens September 18th, and expect a big awards season push for this one.