1960: Divorced alcoholic and struggling novelist Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp) decides to kick around San Juan until his ship comes in, working as a journalist for a daily newspaper that's on its last legs, drinking gallons of rum and experimenting with LSD. With his new friend Bob Sala by his side, he becomes entangled in a corrupt hotel development scheme with a slick PR consultant named Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart) and falls in love with Sanderson's unattainable girlfriend, Chenault (Amber Heard).

Chenault is a beautiful, 25 year old, translucent vision from Connecticut, with a killer smile and a wry, enigmatic personality, she wears barely-there sarongs, sunbathes nude, and oozes sexuality in everything she does. She enchants and mesmerizes Kemp from the moment they meet: while both escaping a tedious, high-end party. Chenault is dating and possibly engaged to Sanderson, but clearly feels an attraction to Kemp. She's a daredevil who loves to dance and drive fast. She gets into big trouble with a lust-crazed, violent crowd during Carnival in St. Thomas.

The role drew strong interest from many a leading lady (Scarlett Johansson and Keira Knightley were among those reported to have been vying for it), though some had reservations regarding the nudity the role calls for. Heard has no such inhibitions — in the upcoming ensemble piece The Informers, an adaptation of the Bret Easton Ellis novel, Heard spends all but one scene undressed. The Rum Diary, however, also will offer the opportunity to showcase some dramatic chops.

The Rum Diary is a passion project for Depp, who was a friend of Thompson's and has been trying to get the adaptation off the ground since 2003.