Johnny Depp was on the set of “Public Enemies,” the crime drama he is currently filming under the direction of Michael Mann, when he recently saved the lives of several extras by risking his own, according to media reports.

British newspaper News of the World reports that Johnny Depp risked his own life in order to save that of six extras while on the set of “Public Enemies.” The 44-year-old actor was shooting a scene as bank robber John Dillinger when a stunt-driver in a 1933 Ford car sped onto a patch of ice and lost control of the vehicle.

The car skidded towards the group of extras, who were standing with their backs turned and were oblivious to the imminent danger. Depp noticed the accident that was about to happen and acted.

An eyewitness told News of the World: “Johnny slammed into the group with arms outspread, shoving them all back.”

“Public Enemies,” set during The Great Depression, tells the story of famous outlaw John Dillinger and of the man who put an end to his bank robbing days, illustrious FBI agent Melvin Purvis. Purvis, portrayed by Christian Bale, is said to have captured more public enemies than any other agent in FBI history.

It was Purvis who said “Stick ‘em up, Johnny” to Dillinger in their final confrontation which led to the latter’s death. Dillinger died in his early 30s when identified to Purvis by a woman who betrayed him.

Mann is directing from an adaptation of Bryan Burrough's book “Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-43.” The cast also includes Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard, as Dillinger’s girlfriend Billie Frechette.

Channing Tatum, Giovanni Ribisi and Stephen Dorff portray public enemies pursued by Purvis. Billy Crudup has been cast as former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover.

The Universal Pictures film is scheduled for a 2009 release.