Johnny Depp Joins ‘Hyde’ Graphic Novel Series From Ridley Scott and Mechanical Cake, Will Create Title Character (EXCLUSIVE)

Johnny Depp is embracing his inner Mr. Hyde.

The actor has signed on to “Hyde,” a new graphic novel property based on the Robert Louis Stevenson novella “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” from Ridley Scott and the production company Mechanical Cake. Depp, Scott and Mechanical Cake will co-own the property, which launches later this year with a graphic novel series on Halloween.

Created by Mechanical Cake CEO Jesse Negron, “Hyde” will chronicle the life of Mr. Hyde after he has triumphed over his Dr. Jekyll alter ego. According to a release, the character will “freely explore his dark tendencies with uninhibited abandon,” as the character hides out in the sewers of London, using a serum to transform other people into more Hydes. The character will share Depp’s likeness, as demonstrated in an exclusive first look below, and the actor will provide his input into every part of the property, especially the character of Hyde.

“To build within the world of Robert Louis Stevenson’s masterful characters and to be welcomed into the vision of Ridley Scott… and inexplicably having the opportunity to explore, it’s surprising to me,” Depp said in a statement. “And hopefully surprising to him. It’s insane and beautiful to receive that trust from Ridley. A master.”

Negron wrote the two-volume series with Joe Matsumoto; Dave Elliott is the editor, and Gary Erskine and Chris Weston are the artists. The partnership is overseen by Scott Free senior vice president Tom Moran, Infinitum Nihil vice president Jason Forman and Mechanical Cake CFO Tom Sanders.

“This is an incredible opportunity to build a studio-level project that goes directly from the creators to the audience, with no filters in between,” said Negron. “‘Hyde,’ like everything Mechanical Cake does, is a bit off the rails, in a good way.”

The graphic novel will be showcased at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, with a panel in Hall H entitled “‘Hyde’: When the Worlds of Graphic Novels and Movies Collide.” Negron will be joined by Elliot, Moran, Forman and Anthony Francisco, to discuss “how top creative talent from the graphic novel and movie worlds collaborate to bring exciting new projects directly to audiences,” according to the Comic-Con description.

Scott Free is also collaborating with Mechanical Cake on two other graphic novels, the sci-fi crime drama “Modville” and the Norse war tale “Nick.”