Johnny Depp Hires Homeless People As "Transcendence" Extras

Johnny Depp has added casting director to his duties while filming his upcoming sci-fi film, "Transcendence."

The actor encouraged the hiring of two homeless people he encountered while traveling around Albuquerque, N.M., DigitalSpy.com reports.

"Johnny always likes to help out the community when on location," a source told The Sun.

"While scouting out the area around Albuquerque, he came across these two characters," the source added. "He was straight on the phone to the casting director."

The film is being executive produced by Christopher Nolan, The Hollywood Reporter says. The cast includes Paul Bettany, Morgan Freeman, and Rebecca Hall.

Director Wally Pfister will have his directing debut with the movie. He has previously won numerous awards for his cinematography, including an Oscar for 2010's "Inception," one of several acclaimed films directed by Nolan.

TheWrap reports of reading a script summary involving a scientist, played by Depp, who has his brain uploaded into a supercomputer. The scientist's goal is to create the first machine that can think on its own.

“It is true Johnny Depp’s brain is uploaded into a computer," the film's producer, Andrew Kosove, confirmed to TheWrap.

The film's production team continues to remain mum about any further details, telling TheWrap that the script summary they viewed could have possibly been outdated.

Pfister offered a little more insight into the movie during a Q&A at Ringling College of Art and Design last October.

"I can’t talk too much about it. It’s a present-day science fiction film, a fairly big concept," he said. "It’s bigger budget -- not as big as 'Batman,' but not independent."

The film is currently scheduled for a spring 2014 release.