Myth Vs. Reality: Get Your "Black Mass" Facts Straight

Myth and reality intersect in Warner Bros.' “Black Mass,” a compelling new big screen thriller that chronicles the rise and fall of one of the most dangerous gangsters in U.S. history. In 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) convinced Irish-American mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (Johnny Depp) to become an FBI informant in order to take out a common enemy: the Italian mob. Hatched in secret, this unholy alliance spiraled out of control, allowing the dangerous and unpredictable gangster to evade justice, expand his power, and become one of the most feared crime lords in Boston.

Benedict Cumberbatch, a Gangster's Senator-Brother in "Black Mass"‏

Brothers Jimmy “Whitey” Bulger and Billy Bulger grew up in the same house in the South Boston projects and ended up at the top of their respective games, albeit with very different rules.

Billy Bulger’s game was politics. College educated, his career trajectory was the polar opposite of his criminal brother’s, taking him all the way to the presidency of the Massachusetts State Senate.

REEL DEAL: Black Mass REVIEW

Gangster life in America actually span a long time and has gained hold of specific districts in major cities. And Boston was one of them, we have seen movies about gangsters who are set in the 1920s to 40s. But Black Mass is a new perspective of gangster movie with Jonny Depp and Benedict Cumberbatch leading the star studded film.

Black Mass is a biopic of the James "Whitey" Buldger who was known to ruled over South Boston under the Winter Hill Gang. The operations of the gang unexpectedly got a deal with the FBI to be a formidable asset. Though it would be beneficial on both parties, the fact that there is an illegal or criminal activity going on makes the alliance very complicated.

There is also the involvement of his brother played by Benedict Cumberbatch, who was a public servant by that time. Whitey also has a band of people who are either simple people to highly skilled killers which are forced to live with each other. It is really awkward and scary. This gave me the intensity of danger of the characters, no one is safe, and no one is innocent.

"Ant-Man" Villain Corey Stoll a Good Guy in "Black Mass"

He received wide acclaim for his performance as murderous scientist Darren Cross aka Yellowjacket in the superhero action adventure hit “Ant-Man.” Now, Corey Stoll's new screen role couldn't be more opposite: an incorruptible federal prosecutor in Warner Bros. Pictures' new gangster thriller, “Black Mass.”

Based on a true story, “Black Mass” explores how a deal between ruthless gangster Whitey Bulger (Johnny Depp) and FBI Agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) enabled Bulger to expand his criminal empire with complete impunity.

Johnny Depp is Notorious Mobster Whitey Bulger in "Black Mass"

Three-time Oscar nominee Johnny Depp (“Sweeney Todd” “Finding Neverland,” the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films) stars as notorious mobster James “Whitey” Bulger in Warner Bros. Pictures' gangster thriller “Black Mass.”

For more than a decade—until his capture in 2011—Boston’s most infamous crime lord, James “Whitey” Bulger, was hunted by the FBI, surpassed only by Osama Bin Laden at the top of the Bureau’s Most Wanted List.

Joel Edgerton Strikes a Deal with the Devil in "Black Mass"‏

Australian actor Joel Edgerton (“Exodus: Gods and Kings,” “The Great Gatsby”) plays an FBI agent who makes a pact with the devil, in Warner Bros. Pictures' new crime thriller, “Black Mass.”

Based on a true story, the film explores how a deal between ruthless gangster Whitey Bulger (Johnny Depp) and FBI Agent John Connolly (Edgerton) enabled Bulger to expand his criminal empire with complete impunity, as Connolly—blinded by his own ambition—shielded him from investigation, ignoring the rising body count.

Dakota Johnson Leads the Women of "Black Mass"‏

Though, in the context of the time, the FBI and the mob were each something of a boys’ club, there are women in the story Warner Bros. Pictures' new thriller “Black Mass” who have a distinct impact on what transpires. Portraying them are Dakota Johnson (“Fifty Shades of Grey”), Juno Temple (“Maleficent”) and Julianne Nicholson (“August: Osage County”).

“Black Mass” explores how a deal between ruthless gangster Whitey Bulger (Johnny Depp) and FBI Agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) enabled Bulger to expand his criminal empire with complete impunity, as Connolly—blinded by his own ambition—shielded him from investigation, ignoring the rising body count.

"Black Mass" Explores Rise of Gangster with Help from FBI‏

For more than a decade—until his capture in 2011—Boston’s most infamous crime lord, James “Whitey” Bulger, was hunted by the FBI, surpassed only by Osama Bin Laden at the top of the Bureau’s Most Wanted List. But the ironic fact is that Bulger might never have risen to the level of power he achieved were it not for the aid and abetment of the FBI.

Warner Bros. Pictures' new thriller “Black Mass” explores how a deal between ruthless gangster Whitey Bulger (Johnny Depp) and FBI Agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) enabled Bulger to expand his criminal empire with complete impunity, as Connolly—blinded by his own ambition—shielded him from investigation, ignoring the rising body count.

"Black Mass" Banners Highlight Talented Cast‏

The impressive ensemble of Warner Bros.' new gangster thriller “Black Mass” gets the star treatment as eight castmembers receive their individual character banners which has just been released by the studio.

The favored eight are Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemons, Kevin Bacon, Peter Sarsgaard, Dakota Johnson and Corey Stoll. 

Directed by of Scott Cooper (the Oscar-winning “Crazy Heart”), the film is based on the book Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob, about the infamous gangster Whitey Bulger.

In 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly (Edgerton) persuades Irish mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (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.

Opening across the Philippines on October 21, “Black Mass” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

"Black Mass" Main Trailer Advises `Keep Your Enemies Close'‏

The main poster and new trailer of Warner Bros.' new gangster thriller “Black Mass” starring Johnny Depp have just been launched by the studio. Watch the trailer here at https://youtu.be/qZsUk739uqI.

The film is based on the book Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob, about the infamous gangster Whitey Bulger. The film stars Oscar® nominee Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger and Joel Edgerton (“The Great Gatsby”) as FBI Agent John Connolly. The film is directed by of Scott Cooper (“Crazy Heart”).

In 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly (Edgerton) persuades Irish mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (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.

Gangster Thriller "Black Mass" Outs Teaser Trailer‏

Warner Bros. Pictures has just launched the teaser trailer for its new gangster thriller “Black Mass” starring Johnny Depp and may be viewed here at https://youtu.be/f5i-Z-Dklzc.

The film is based on the book Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob, about the infamous gangster Whitey Bulger. The film stars Oscar® nominee Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger and Joel Edgerton (“The Great Gatsby”) as FBI Agent John Connolly. The film is directed by of Scott Cooper (“Crazy Heart”).

In 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly (Edgerton) persuades Irish mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (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.

REEL DEAL: Depp Guns Down Enemy In New “BLACK MASS” Poster

Warner Bros. Pictures continues to intrigue with the marketing campaign of its new gangster thriller “Black Mass” starring Johnny Depp. For its new teaser one-sheet art, the studio has released the layout showing Depp as mob boss Whitey Bulger looking down on the lifeless body of a presumed enemy.

The film is based on the book Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob, about the infamous gangster Whitey Bulger. The film stars Oscar® nominee Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger and Joel Edgerton (“The Great Gatsby”) as FBI Agent John Connolly. The film is directed by of Scott Cooper (“Crazy Heart”).

In 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly (Edgerton) persuades Irish mobster James “Whitey” Bulger (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.

REEL DEAL Take Your First Look At Depp's New Thriller "BLACK MASS"

The first-look video titled “Just Sayin’” from the crime thriller “Black Mass” starring Johnny Depp has just been released by Warner Bros. and may be viewed here at https://youtu.be/2HoeOnj7XqU.

The film is based on the book Black Mass: The True Story of an Unholy Alliance Between the FBI and the Irish Mob, about the infamous gangster Whitey Bulger. The film stars Oscar® nominee Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger and Joel Edgerton (“The Great Gatsby”) as FBI Agent John Connolly. The film is directed by of Scott Cooper (“Crazy Heart”).

“Black Mass” also stars Benedict Cumberbatch (“The Imitation Game”) as Whitey’s brother, Billy Bulger, who is a Massachusetts State Senator; Jesse Plemons (AMC’s “Breaking Bad”) as Whitey’s longtime partner in crime, Kevin Weeks; Sienna Miller (“American Sniper”) as Whitey’s lover, Catherine Greig; Dakota Johnson (“Fifty Shades of Grey”) as Lindsey Cyr, Whitey’s former girlfriend and mother of his only child; Rory Cochrane (“Argo”) as Steve Flemmi, another member of the Irish mob; Julianne Nicholson (“August: Osage County”) as John Connolly’s wife, Marianne; and Adam Scott (ABC’s “Parks and Recreation”) as FBI Agent Robert Fitzpatrick.