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Bekmambetov to Reimagine Melville's Moby Dick

September 23, 2008

Variety reports that Universal Pictures has decided to produce a big budget reimagiging of Herman Melville's classic literary tale Moby Dick with Russian director Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) to work from a screenplay being written by Adam Cooper and Bill Collage for "a high six figures."

The Variety story details some of the changes that are being planned for the new version of Melville's tale:

The writers revere Melville’s original text, but their graphic novel-style version will change the structure. Gone is the first-person narration by the young seaman Ishmael, who observes how Ahab’s obsession with killing the great white whale overwhelms his good judgment as captain.

This change will allow them to depict the whale’s decimation of other ships prior to its encounter with Ahab’s Pequod, and Ahab will be depicted more as a charismatic leader than a brooding obsessive.

"Our vision isn’t your grandfather’s ‘Moby Dick,’ " Cooper said. "This is an opportunity to take a timeless classic and capitalize on the advances in visual effects to tell what at its core is an action-adventure revenge story."

In the meantime, Bekmambetov is already developing a sequel to the summer sleeper hit starring James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie.

You can read the full story on Variety.

From ComingSoon.net

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COMMENTS (39)

Posted by:

Zephyr

September 23, 2008

This is an even more bizarre combination than Guy Ritchie directing Sherlock Holmes.

I honestly have no idea how this could go.

Posted by:

Boyscout

September 23, 2008

This movie will suck. Bekmambetov can't do a drama. He can't direct REAL actors, he doesn't know anything about filming scenes based on dialogue without explosions in the background and shootouts going on at the same time.

This can't work. Sorry.

Posted by:

Jay

September 23, 2008

Ok Boyscout...

If you're gonna make a statement dont apologize for it. We dont know how it's gonna turn out so we'll have to wait to see what happens. But once again. If you'r gonna say it stand by it and dont be sorry for it

Posted by:

joe asylo

September 23, 2008

i was thinking he was doing a kung fu film, with hes effect is a goldmine.

Posted by:

Spidey

September 23, 2008

We don't even know anything about this yet and you're already bashing it, lol. Get some help, or get a life.

Posted by:

Jim

September 23, 2008

Bekmambetov is Germany's Michael Bay, he throws in great shots and special effects to distract from the awkward storylines.

Plus, he says he is changing Ahab from a vengeful obsessive to a charismatic leader? THE ENTIRE STORY OF MOBY DICK IS ABOUT OBSESSION!!!

I'll pass.

Posted by:

Gopher43

September 23, 2008

>>"This is an opportunity to take a timeless classic and capitalize on the >>advances in visual effects to tell what at its core is an action->>adventure revenge story."

Sadly, a ludicrous Hollywood mantra.

Posted by:

Jimmy S

September 23, 2008

"Our vision isn’t your grandfather’s ‘Moby Dick,’ " Cooper said. "This is an opportunity to take a timeless classic and capitalize on the advances in visual effects to tell what at its core is an action-adventure revenge story."

That translates to I'm a stupid dump-arse american moooovie making & I'm all about making money rather than making a good film.

Posted by:

dashRENDAAR

September 23, 2008

I've always wanted to see a remake of "Moby Dick". I think it could be great adventure- drama. However I do disagree with the approach they are taking. Keep it loyal to the book. It could be an epic tale, with some dark undertones. With narration still.
Director: Peter Jackson
Ahab: Liam Neeson Or Hugh Jackman
Ishmael: Christian Bale
Starbuck: Ralph Fiennes Or Bernard Hill
Stub: Brendan Gleeson
Flask: Andy Serkis
Queequeg: Raoul Trujillo
Pip: Jaden Smith - Will Smith's son
Elijah "The Prophet": Gary Oldman
Father Mapple: Ian Mckellen or Anthony Hopkins
DO IT!!! PLEASE!!!

Posted by:

My Two Cents...

September 23, 2008

Dear Jim, Bekmambetov is RUSSIAN not German and he is a MUCH better director than Michael Bay. Bay couldn't direct a stream of piiss into a bucket whereas Timur Bekmambetov directed Nightwatch for about as much money as Bay finds rolling around on the floor of his Hummer!