Actor Johnny Depp is in talks to take on a real-life role after showing interest in a new biopic on Hungarian-American illusionist and stunt performer Harry Houdini.

"The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero", directed by Dean Parisot, reimagines the master illusionist and escape artist as an occult investigator.

The movie is based on an eponymous biography penned by writer William Kalush and Larry Sloman, reports contactmusic.com.

Depp is currently portraying Whitey Bulger, boss of Massachusetts, Boston, in "Black Mass" .