Ananova:

Johnny Depp is to star with John Malkovich and Samantha Morton in a film about a notorious 17th century rake.

The Libertine will see the actor star in a controversial role as the real-life John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, reports Variety.

The greatest scoundrel in the court of Charles II, Wilmot was a playwright, poet, womaniser and pornographer who died from syphilis aged just 33.

Samuel Johnson said he "lived worthless and useless and blazed out his youth and health in lavish voluptuousness".

The movie finally starts shooting in the UK next month after eight years of financial wrangles. British director Laurence Dunmore makes his feature debut.

The script has been adapted by Stephen Jeffries from his own play, a smash hit at London's Royal Court Theatre.

Malkovich will play King Charles II and Morton has been cast as Elizabeth Barry, the struggling actress whom Rochester finally fell for and married.

The producers admit they expect a battle with American censors over the film's sexual content.