The film tells the story of a disgraced LAPD detective, Russell Poole (Johnny Depp), who fails to solve the murder cases of rappers Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. A reporter (based on journalist Randall Sullivan's collaboration with Russell Poole), "Jack" Jackson teams up with Poole after nearly two decades to find out the truth.

Based on the true story of one of the most notorious and unsolved cases in recent time, CITY OF LIES is a provocative thriller revealing a never-before-seen look at the infamous murder of The Notorious B.I.G. shortly following the death of Tupac. L.A.P.D. detective Russell Poole (Johnny Depp) has spent years trying to solve his biggest case, but after two decades, the investigation remains open. "Jack" Jackson (Forest Whitaker), a reporter desperate to save his reputation and career, is determined to find out why. In search of the truth, the two team up and unravel a growing web of institutional corruption and lies. Relentless in their hunt, these two determined men threaten to uncover the conspiracy and crack the foundation of the L.A.P.D. and an entire city.

Johnny Depp attacked a member of the crew on a movie shoot, telling the crew member he'd give him $100k to punch him in the face ... and now the crew member wants his money in the form of a lawsuit.

Gregg "Rocky" Brooks was hired as a location manager last year for the movie "City of Lies" -- a story about Biggie Smalls' murder. Depp plays LAPD detective Russell Poole, who investigated the killing.

Brooks claims Depp hired 2 of his friends for a scene in downtown L.A. on April 13, 2017. Brooks says the scene wasn't working well, and he informed the director they could only have one more shot at finishing it.

Rocky went to Johnny and told him he only had one more shot. According to the lawsuit -- filed by Baker, Olson, LeCroy & Danielian -- Rocky was concerned about Depp's volatility and went to get an LAPD officer for protection. Before Rocky reached the officer, he claims Depp attacked him and angrily screamed, "Who the f*** are you? You have no right to tell me what to do."

Rocky says Depp punched him twice in the rib cage. Rocky says he didn't react, and that's when Depp screamed, "I will give you $100,000 to punch me in the face right now."

Rocky claims Depp continued his tirade and his bodyguards then removed him from the area.

Rocky says during the altercation Depp's breath reeked of alcohol.

The suit seeks unspecified damages.

We reached out to Johnny's rep, so far no word back.

City of Lies, the Brad Furman-directed crime thriller starring Johnny Depp and Forest Whitaker and based on the true story behind the investigation into the murder of rap star Notorious B.I.G., has been pulled off its September 7 release date.

Global Road, which acquired the movie’s original distributor Open Road last summer, has not set a new date for the pic, we’re told. It was set to hit screens on what would have been the 46th birthday of the iconic rapper, aka Biggie Smalls, who was gunned down in 1997 in a drive-by in Los Angeles.

The news comes less than month after the film’s location manager sued Depp, accusing the actor of assault and battery on the set in April 2017. Gregg “Rocky” Brooks said he was repeatedly hit by Depp after being informed that filming that night in downtown L.A. was going to have to wrap late. The 10-claim suit, which also names Furman and producers Miriam Segal, Good Film Productions and Depp’s Infinitum Nihil, seeks damages for hostile work environment, retaliation, and wrongful termination among the claims.

The July 9-filed lawsuit has become more focused in recent days. Last week, Segal and her Good Film were dropped by Brooks as defendants. We hear the move was not the result of a settlement, but rather discussions between the lawyers for the parties.

In City of Lies, Depp plays LAPD detective Russell Poole, and Whitaker is the journalist looking into the unsolved murder, which came six months after the death of Smalls’ rap rival Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas.

Global Road dropped a trailer for the pic, formerly titled LAbyrinth, in May.

City of Lies will hit theaters on March 19th, following by a Digital and On Demand release on April 9, 2021.