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Edward Zwick Directing Moby Dick-Like Heart of the Sea

by Alex Billington
March 3, 2009

It may be hard coming off of a flop like Defiance, but Edward Zwick is trying to put the past behind him. Zwick will next direct In the Heart of the Sea, a based on a true story tale of a Nantucket whaling ship called the "Essex," which was stalked and ultimately destroyed by a sperm whale in 1820. If this sounds familiar, that's because this real life incident was the inspiration for Herman Melville's Moby Dick, and it just so happens that Timur Bekmambetov is slated to direct a re-imagining of that novel. Zwick wrote the script with Marshall Herskovitz (The Last Samurai) and plans to put this into production late this year.

New Regency is already working on the film and is trying to figure out how to trim down elements of the script to save costs, because shooting a "logistically ambitious" period piece on the open water isn't exactly cheap. After the sperm whale attacked the "Essex", a handful of the crew managed to escape, but were subsequently lost at sea for 90 days. Only eight were eventually rescued, including the 28 year old captain of the ship, George Pollard, Jr. It sounds like a very interesting and heart wrenching story that could be entertaining on the big screen, but I've lost all faith in Edward Zwick after seeing Defiance last year.

I hate seeing two big projects go head-to-head against each other, but it looks like In the Heart of the Sea is probably going to get made first. That shouldn't matter because I'm sure Timur's version will be completely different anyway, plus I'm looking forward to that a lot more than I am Zwick's In the Heart of the Sea.

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Colca

You lost faith in Zwick cause of Defiance? I thought it was one of his better movies. This is what Zwick does best. I can't wait for this movie.
Scott McHenry

I liked Defiance
http://movies.iconocritic.com peloquin

Defiance was aweful...if I wanted to see a film about camping I would have watched Ernest goes to Camp.
viral

Defiance was very well made and i found it to be very nuanced... i think it suffered slightly becuase of the thick polish accent. i know people complained about how tom cruise didnt have an accent in valkyrie but i think it makes for a more generic and a pleasant viewing than trying to understand the words through a thick accent. Blood Diamond was easily the best movie in its year... Zwick is a talented director. the story that is limited to a ship does not howevere interest me too much... Zwick deals best with wide vistas and a rich background... still have faith in zwick he might make this brilliant
Colca

I don't know if it being limited to a ship matters. What you say about Zwick dealing with rich backgrounds is true, but Peter Weir managed to pull it off in Master and Commander.
Max

This is one of the most gruesome books I've ever read.
http://poptimal.com Cameron Cubbison

I'm sure Ed Zwick is all broken up about your loss of faith in him.
teyhtr

So...... what minority group is this movie gonna be set around this time around? Hahaha I kid.... I kid.
Kevin

This is my favorite book of all time. Sucks that Zwick is directing it. I expect it to be made overly melodramatic with a constant string orchestral score. The characters will be made shallow and there is NO WAY the cannibalism will make it into the movie. Boo hiss.