AceShowbiz -

Floating in the air since its first revelation in May 2005, "The Rum Diary" soon is going to take shape. Variety has brought in report pointing out that Warner Independent Pictures is now putting its priority on the project and moving forward to bring it into production with Johnny Depp toplining.

Filmmakers of the movie are said to expect filming the drama adventure by the time Depp finishes shooting Mira Nair-directed "Shantaram." Bruce Robinson has already been assigned to helm from his own script with Depp's Infinitum Nihil producing alongside Graham King's GK Films and Film Engine.

Based on the Hunter S. Thompson novel, "Rum" concerns a freelance journalist named Paul Kemp, played by Depp, who moves from New York to work for a small newspaper in San Juan, Puerto Rico in the late 1950s. There he encounters jealousy, treachery, and violent alcoholic lust among the American expatriates who staff the paper.