Keith Richards (L) and Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp is to direct a documentary about Keith Richards, the guitarist of legendary band The Rolling Stones.

It's been 13 years since Depp last went behind the camera for his directorial debut The Brave, which was poorly received. But in a statement the actor said he's wiser now and ready to direct again.

"I'm very touched that Keith has agreed to show up in front of my cameras," Depp said of his longtime friend Richards, who played the part of captain Jack Sparrow's father in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

He also noted that his editor was going through "kilometers" of footage of Richards.

The Rolling Stones have collectively been the focus of some great music documentaries, such as Gimme Shelter, Shine a Light and Sympathy for the Devil.