Nick Tosches novel, “In the Hand of Dante,” screen rights have been acquired by Johnny Depp’s production company Infinitum Nihi, which is to be developed as a possible star vehicle for Depp.

The novel, published in 2002, concentrates on Dante’s masterwork “The Divine Comedy”  as it parallels storylines involving Dante in 14th-century Italy as he works to complete the work, and a contemporary storyline involving Tosches.  Toches, played by Depp, is asked to authenticate what might be Dante’s original manuscript.  

Needless to say, Johnny Depp’s workload is full.  He definitely has job security. To list a few of his projects: Alice and Wonderland as the Mad Hatter,  Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Long Ranger, Voice-over Rango, Dark Shadows and Inventions of Hugo Cabret.