Benedict Cumberbatch is in talks to replace Guy Pearce in the Johnny Depp-starring Whitey Bulger crime drama from Warner Bros. and Cross Creek Pictures, sources confirm to The Hollywood Reporter.

The movie, which is based on the book Black Mass: Whitey Bulger, the FBI, and a Devil's Deal, is now shooting in Boston with Scott Cooper directing.

Pearce was to have played Whitey's brother Billy Bulger but dropped out a few weeks ago for reasons unknown. The studios is trying to close a deal for Cumberbatch to step in, although he was approached a few weeks ago.

Adam Scott just closed a deal to join the production, which already has Joel Edgerton, Dakota Johnson, Juno Temple and Jesse Plemons on the roll call.

Cumberbatch last week signed on to appear in The Yellow Birds, an adaptation of the Kevin Powers novel being helmed by Ain’t Them Bodies Saints director David Lowery.