Avast, Spielberg Eyes 'Pirate'

Argh! Me hearties, over the past moon a tale has been told that is too great not to weave, so Avast Ye! and take heed. Sea Dog and Cap'n Steven Spielberg has set his sails on his matey Michael Crichton's final book before he met Davy Jones Locker titled, "Pirate Latitudes". Sink me! Unless ye be landlubbers, me say you use yer deadlights matey and scroll down to read the full details or yer likely to be shark bait...


The yet to release Michael Crichton book "Pirates Latitudes" is a pirate adventure set off the coast of Jamaica in 1665. Described as, "a daring plan to infiltrate Port Royal, one of the world's richest and most notorious cities, and raid a Spanish galleon filled with treasure." The book is set for a release November 24th, while Dreamworks and Spielberg have hired David Koepp to pen a screenplay based off the Crichton novel. Koepp, who previously adapted Crichton's novels Jurassic Park and The Lost World for film will finish the script before Dreamworks and Spielberg unveil a timeline and production schedule.

USA Today broke the news and reveals Steven Spielberg's keen interest in Crichton's last novel. "Michael wrote a real page-turner that already seems suited for the big screen," Spielberg said. The acclaimed director also mentioned their longtime friendship and his appreciation to have been able to work with Crichton. He said, "Michael and I have had almost two decades of solid collaborations. Whenever I made a film from a Michael Crichton book or screenplay, I knew I was in good hands. Michael felt the same, and we like to think he still does." Spielberg, who also revealed that he has always wanted to direct a pirate adventure, has confirmed he is producing and is considering directing. Which means, Spielberg just needs to figure out when he can direct "Pirate Latitudes".

Certainly the prospect of another Crichton and Spielberg team-up is mouth watering and add the fact the Koepp is aboard bodes very well too. The book is described as a realistic take on swashbuckling pirates and would not be anything like the Disney franchise with Johnny Depp steering the ship. Dreamworks CEO Stacey Snider explained, "It's a mission movie, and we see it through the prism of what it might have been like to live on the island during that time." Because Dreamworks and Disney have a new distribution deal together Snider also commented on the 'Caribbean' franchise. She said, "We would only pursue this if it was wonderful in its own way, and didn't interfere with their films." More news on "Pirate Latitudes" as it develops...

What say you? Does Pirate Latitudes look to make a pretty doubloon? Strikeback...