Actor Johnny Depp is all set to play the famous photojournalist W. Eugene Smith in upcoming thriller movie 'Minamata'. The film is based on the novel of the same name authored by Aileen Mioko Smith, and is being helmed by Andrew Levitas of 'Lullaby' fame, Deadline reported.

The plotline of the film follows the story of World War II photographer Eugene Smith on his way to Japan in the 1970s to document the Minamata disease scandal, wherein a chemical company was responsible in affecting a coastal community.