Johnny Depp to launch publishing imprint after 18 literary films

Johnny Depp will launch a publishing imprint with Harper, a division of HarperCollins, called Infinitum Nihil. That’s the same as his production company, which has had a hand in the films “The Rum Diary” (adapted from the novel by Hunter S. Thompson), “Hugo” (adapted from the children’s book by Brian Selznick), and “Dark Shadows” and “The Lone Ranger,” both film remakes of old television shows.

Since graduating from “21 Jump Street,” Depp has chosen roles that are a mixture of pop culture and literary adaptations. Here’s his book-based ouevre:

“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” (1993). Adapted from the novel by Peter Hedges.

“Ed Wood” (1994), partially based on “Nightmare of Ecstasy,” a biography by Rudolph Grey.

“Donnie Brasco” (1997), based on the memoir “Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia” by Joseph D. Pistone and Richard Woodley.

“The Brave” (1997), based on the novel by Gregory MacDonald (author of the Fletch mysteries).

“Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” (1998), based on the book by Hunter S. Thompson.

“The Ninth Gate” (1999), based on the novel “El Club Dumas” by Arturo Perez-Reverte, in which Depp played a rare book dealer.

“Sleepy Hollow” (1999), based on the story by Washington Irving.

“Before Night Falls” (2000), based on the memoir of Cuban poet Reinaldo Arenas.

“Chocolat” (2000), based on the novel by Joanne Harris.

“Blow” (2001), based on the biography by Bruce Porter.

“From Hell” (2001), based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell.

“Secret Window” (2004), a thriller about a novelist, based on a Stephen King story that appears in his collection “Four Past Midnight.”

“Finding Neverland” (2004), based on the life of “Peter Pan” author J.M. Barrie.

“The Libertine” (2004), based on the life of 17th century poet John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester.

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (2005), based on the children’s book by Roald Dahl.

“Public Enemies” (2009), partially based on Bryan Burrough’s history “Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34.”

“Alice in Wonderland” (2010), based on the books by Lewis Carroll.

“The Rum Diary” (2011), based on the novel by Hunter S. Thompson.

Now Depp can make books themselves, in addition to movies based on books. He’s announced the first two books to be published by Infinitum Nihil: “The Unraveled Tales of Bob Dylan” by Doug Brinkley and “House of Earth,” an unpublished novel by folk singer Woody Guthrie.

In a statement, Depp said, “I pledge, on behalf of Infinitum Nihil, that we will do our best to deliver publications worthy of peoples’ time, of peoples’ concern. Publications that might ordinarily never have breached the parapet. For this dream realized, we would like to salute HarperCollins for their faith in us and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship together.”

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