It has been announced that 'The Truman Show' director Peter Weir is to direct Johnny Depp in the big screen adaptation of Gregory David Roberts' autobiographical novel 'Shantaram'.
Australian author Roberts was a heroin addict who was convicted of armed robbery but escaped from prison and fled to Bombay, where he set up a medical clinic for people living in the slums.
He was recruited by the Bombay underworld, where he became a passport forger, counterfeiter and gun-runner.
Roberts' travels also took him to Afghanistan, where he fought with the mujaheddin.
Variety reports that Depp will serve as producer on the film through his company, Infinitum Nihil; Brad Pitt is also producing the film through his company, Plan B.
Production is due to begin on the film late in 2006.
