Spielberg Developing Crichton’s ‘Pirate Latitudes’

From an article in USA Today comes word that Steven Spielberg is planning to produce a feature film adaptation of Michael Crichton’s posthumously published ‘Pirate Latitudes.’  David Koepp is set to pen the screenplay, bringing the trio behind ‘Jurassic Park’ back again under one project.

Set in Jamaica in 1665, Crichton’s novel centers on a band of pirates who plan to infiltrate Port Royal and loot it of Spanish gold.

Says DreamWorks partner, co-chair, and CEO Stacey Snider on the project:

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.

Anything that Michael wrote, Steven would be keenly interested to read. But without Michael knowing it, or even me knowing it, it turns out Steven always wanted to direct his own pirate film.

Spielberg and DreamWorks can also thank Disney for revitalizing the pirate movie with the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ franchise.  While similarities are sure to be made, Snider is certain the two films will be extremely different.

We would only pursue this if it was wonderful in its own way, and didn’t interfere with their films.

Crichton’s novel is set for release on November 24th.  With the film being based on one of his novels, and with Koepp at the screenwriter’s table, it would seem likely Spielberg will be stepping into the director’s chair on this.  Of course, with ‘Tintin’ already being filmed, Spielberg also has ‘Oldboy,’ ‘Indiana Jones 5,’ and ‘Interstellar’ on his horizons.  Then there’s that long-time ‘Lincoln’ film he has been intending to make for years.  Surely one or two of these films will only see him serve as producer on, but, for now, it’s just a waiting game to see which ones.