A few months ago we got the official word that Will Smith had been cast in the lead of the long anticipated Armageddon vampire movie I Am Legend. Now that the word is out on Smith, casting on the film is really getting rolling, and they may have snagged another huge name.

BlackFilm.com is reporting that now Johnny Depp has joined the Legend cast as well, to co-star opposite Smith. Will plays the last man on Earth, in a world wholly populated by vampire savages. So it seems likely that Depp will play the vampire leader, since the only male, non-vampire character in the script is Will’s dog, and Johnny looks terrible in long floppy ears.

For now, it’s just a rumor. Black Film cites only unnamed sources for their story, and official channels have been quiet. With Pirates of the Caribbean 2 set to release next week though, it wouldn’t be surprising to get some sort of official studio announcement on the subject soon, while Johnny’s name is hot in the press.

I Am Legend is based on the novel by Richard Matheson, a novel which has already been made into a movie several times before. Anyone remember Omega Man? Constantine director Richard Lawrence is heading up this new version.

For more info, you can read my really old, slightly outdated script review here.