Depp Stays Thin As Koepp Writes

With "The Lone Ranger" stuck in limbo, Johnny Depp is moving on to the planned remake of "The Thin Man" says Deadline

David Koepp will now write the script, taking over for Permanent Midnight: author and screenwriter Jerry Stahl ("Bad Boys 2") who was previously attached to write the script but apparently never got started on the project.

The 1934 film starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, based on Dashiell Hammett's book, follows an alcoholic former P.I. named Nick Charles and his wealthy heiress wife Nora who investigate a murder that involves an eccentric inventor and his bizarre family.

Five sequels were produced.

David Niven and Maggie Smith's memorable roles in 1976 comedy classic "Murder By Death" were directly inspired by the series.

Koepp is expected to use the novel as his starting point. The story follows an alcoholic former P.I. named Nick Charles and his wealthy heiress wife Nora who investigate a murder that involves an eccentric inventor and his bizarre family.

These polished and sophisticated society types spend as much time engaging in witty banter with each other as they do investigating the crime.

Depp is already set to play Nick, no word on who'll play Nora as yet.

Rob Marshall is still attached to direct while Depp, Marshall, John DeLuca,.Christi Dembrowski and Kevin McCormick are producing.