Christian Bale is in talks to join Johnny Depp in the forthcoming Michael Mann-directed “Public Enemies,” according to media reports.

Trade paper Variety quotes “a person familiar with the situation” who says Bale will portray yet another bringer of justice, this time famed FBI agent Melvin Purvis, who put an end to John Dillinger’s bank robbing by shooting him.

Depp will star as the famous outlaw, seen by some as a modern-day Robin Hood, who died in his early 30s when identified to Purvis by a woman who betrayed him.

Depp’s casting in the big screen adaptation of Bryan Burrough's book “Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-43,” was possible through the cancellation of production on another scheduled project, “Shantaram.”

The Hollywood writers’ strike started before a script was ready for the Warner Bros. project and Depp soon joined Michael Mann for the Universal pic. Variety reports that production begins in March.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Dillinger will not be the only public enemy featured in the movie, as the government will also attempt to stop Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd. No word on who will portray these criminals.

Purvis is said to have captured more public enemies than any other agent in FBI history. The HR adds that it was Purvis who said “Stick ‘em up, Johnny” to Dillinger in their final confrontation which led to the latter’s death.

Bale is well-known for his portrayal of comic book crime-fighter Batman in “batman Begins.” He will next appear as the superhero in “The Dark Knight,” slated for a July release.

Mann is producing “Public Enemies” via his Forward Pass banner, with Kevin Misher and his Misher Films. Jane Rosenthal of Tribeca is exec producing. The film is scheduled for a 2009 release.