15 Things We Never Knew About "Public Enemies"

I remember going to see Public Enemies in theaters when it first came out. And 18 years later, I can still remember the film in full detail. That’s when you know a movie has left a mark on you, am I right? Johnny Depp was absolutely phenomenal in his role of real life gangster/bank robber John Dillinger. And Johnny isn’t the only famous face you’ll see in the film. Between him, Marion Cotillard, Christian Bale, and Channing Tatum, the movie was basically set up for success before it was even made. Keep on reading to learn 15 behind-the-scenes facts about Public Enemies! 

1. While they were filming in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, an 11-year-old boy approached Johnny Depp, telling him that he loved his fedora and would love to have one just like it. 

Johnny told the boy that he’d see what he could do, and when filming was over, he sent the boy the fedora in the mail! So sweet. 

2. During one of the bank robbery getaway scenes, Johnny Depp is driving a 1932 Studebaker. 

The Studebaker in that scene is an actual car used by the real John Dillinger following a bank robbery in Greencastle, Indiana. The film borrowed the car from an auto museum nearby. 

3. There’s a subtle factual error in the film when it comes to the soundtrack. 

The “Swing” music on the soundtrack wasn’t actually recorded until late 1935 and afterwards, which is a year after John Dillinger’s death. There’s also a scene where Billie Holiday’s “Love Me Or Leave Me” is playing on the radio in 1934, but the song wasn’t actually recorded until 1941.

4. In preparation for the role, Johnny Depp visited the John Dillinger Museum and even tried on the pants Dillinger was wearing the night he was shot. 

Johnny said that the pants fit him perfectly. I just got chills!