In theaters this week, THE RUM DIARY is the big screen adaptation of iconic author HUNTER S. THOMPSON’S early novel of the same name. Written in the ’60s but not published until 1998, the autobiographical story is set in the ’50s and centers on a young journalist who moves from New York City to work at a major newspaper in Puerto Rico. Adapted for the screen and directed by BRUCE ROBINSON, the cast includes JOHNNY DEPP (who also produced), AARON ECKHART, MICHAEL RISPOLI, AMBER HEARD, RICHARD JENKINS and GIOVANNI RIBISI.

A longtime pal of the late THOMPSON, DEPP has portrayed him several times on screen and, at a recent press conference, talked about portraying him as a young man in this film. (CLICK ON THE MEDIA BAR FOR AUDIO)

THE RUM DIARY opens in theaters Friday