Benicio Del Toro Infiltrates The Mob For 'Making Jack Falcone'

Potentially his generation's Ben Kingsley, "Wolfman" star Benicio Del Toro is one of those actors who could pass for just about any ethnicity on film. Though he hasn't stretched out as much as he's capable of yet, the Puerto Rico-born Oscar-winner did go as far as playing a Samoan in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." But is he enough of a chameleon that he could fool the Mafia? He'll at least have to seem so in a new film called "Making Jack Falcone."

According to Deadline Hollywood, Del Toro will sort of play the title character. He'll star as real-life FBI agent Joaquin "Jack" Garcia, who went undercover using the alias Jack Falcone in order to infiltrate the Gambino crime family. Despite being Cuba-born American with Italian lineage, Garcia was convincing enough as Falcone to become only the second FBI agent in history to be offered the position of made man (the first was Joe Pistone, as Donnie Brasco, who was portrayed on film by Del Toro's "Fear and Loathing" mate Johnny Depp). Ultimately, Garcia brought down 39 members of the family, including the high-ranking capo Greg DePalma (who just died in prison last fall).

Garcia managed his cover for three years while being the very distinct size of 6'4" and 390 lbs (see him in this "60 Minutes" segment). So not only will Del Toro have to pass ethnically, he'll also have to pack on some pounds for the role. This shouldn't be an issue, as he gained 45 lbs. to portray the overweight Dr. Gonzo in "Fear and Loathing." Seriously, there's nothing the actor can't do.

"Making Jack Falcone" was penned by "Che" co-screenwriter Peter Buchman and will be produced by Steven Soderbergh, who is currently looking for a director for the film.

Do you look forward to seeing Benicio Del Toro as an obese agent in mob movie? Who should Soderbergh get to direct the film?

Tags benicio del toro, Making Jack Falcone, steven soderbergh