Johnny Depp To Star In Dark Comedy ‘King Of The Jungle,’ Story About Tech Outlaw John McAfee

It has been confirmed that Johnny Depp will star in the upcoming film, King of the Jungle, a comedy that will explore the story of John McAfee‘s disappearance in the jungle of Belize.

The movie will be based specifically on the Wired article, “John McAfee’s Last Stand,” by Joshua Davis. The article recounts Davis’ trip to Belize to visit McAfee, who was being investigated by Belizean police for the murder of his neighbor and the alleged creation of a private army – to be used for drug trafficking. King of the Jungle will be told from Davis’ perspective.

The film will be directed by partners Glenn Ficarra (Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Focus) and John Requa from a script by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski.

King of the Jungle will be shopped around at the Cannes Film Festival later this month.

It is unclear who Depp will play in the film but he has played a journalist in the past – he played fictionalized versions of his close friend Hunter S. Thompson in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and The Rum Diary.

Depp is currently promoting the newest installment of his Pirates of the Caribbean series, Dead Men Tell No Tales. The actor has made multiple appearances as Captain Jack Sparrow at Disney theme parks around the world.

Depp has also recently run into a string of personal troubles – a divorce from model Amber Heard, as well as serious financial troubles and the resulting court case. Some Disney studio executives fear that Depp’s personal troubles may end up affecting Dead Men Tell No Tales‘ bottom line. The film will be released on May 26.