Johnny Depp Goes Blonde For 'Mortdecai' Art Dealer Role [Pictures]

Johnny Depp has been spotted on the set of the upcoming crime movie Mordecai sporting a brutally waxed moustache, slicked blonde hair and a dashing three-piece suit complete with pocket handkerchief.

Johnny Depp Goes For A Drastic New Look.

No, Depp isn't auditioning to become the new Hercule Poirot: he has assumed the lead role of Charlie Mortdecai in the film adaptation of Kyril Bonfiglioli crime anthology, The Mortdecai Trilogy. Depp has been cast as the infamous anti-hero art dealer who goes on a hunt for a stolen painting that is believed to hold an access code to hidden Nazi gold.

Depp Debuts A Severe Moustache For His New Mortdecai Role.

Next Page: who is Charlie Mortdecai?

Who Is Charlie Mortdecai?

Though the character appears to be somewhat neater than most of the characters the Pirates of the Caribbean actor traditionally plays, Bonfiglioli's Mortdecai is clearly the kind of eccentric role that Depp revels in. It is not known whether Depp sprouted the striking bleached facial hair himself, or whether it is an elaborately crafted prop, à la Poirot.

Depp Is Almost Unrecognisable As The Art Dealer.

The character is described as "portly," "dissolute" and "immoral" by the late author and although it doesn't looks like Depp has been hitting the cream buns for the role, he is adept at playing a believable felon.

In the David Kroepp-directed movie, Depp plays amongst an all-star cast, including Ewan McGregor, Gwyneth Paltrow, Paul Bettany and Olivia Munn in roles that are yet to be verified.

Gwyneth Paltrow Looks Elegant In White Whilst Filming 'Mortdecai.'

Next Page: More photos from the 'Mortdecai' Set.

A Snapshot Into A Stylish World

Scriptwriter Eric Aronson has adapted the 1970s crime novels for the screen and the movie looks to be very stylish indeed. Depp as the debonair art connoisseur will lead the glittering cast into a racing tale of the criminal underworld as high society and theft are combined on screen. Photos from the Mortdecai set show the actors looking sophisticated and smartly dressed. Depp was even seen pointing a pistol pulled out of his large tweed overcoat and looked to be trying to extract himself from a sticky situation.

Ewan McGregor Looks Suave On The 'Mortdecai' Set.

It's early days yet so the film has not been given a release date. Filming seems to have been going well though so we're hoping for a mid to late 2014 release for this exciting new crime drama. Early clips from the movie were premiered at the American Film Market last month and reportedly received significant interest from international buyers.

Depp Heaves Some Art On The 'Mortdecai' Set.

Lionsgate motion picture group co-chair Patrick Wachsberger told Variety that the preview went down particularly well. "They loved it, and I love it," he said. "Johnny is creating an original character like Edward Scissorhands and Jack Sparrow in 'Pirates of the Caribbean.'"

Another Look? Oh, Go On Then...