More Crowe Master?

Burly thesp Russell Crowe is getting the itch to wear frilly shirts and hit the high seas again — he’s talking about setting sail in another MASTER & COMMANDER movie.

The first movie (subtitled THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD) was obviously conceived as the launch of a potential franchise, considering it was based on Patrick O’Brian’s series of 20 books. Crowe says that there’s a new script ready for THE REVERSE OF THE MEDAL, based on the 11th novel.

But the ship is not quite prepared to be boarded. “There’s still a long way to go,” Crowe told the AP, giving no further indication of any involvement from writers, actors, directors or studios. The books and film(s) follow the exploits of Jack Aubrey, captain of the British frigate HMS Surprise during the Napoleonic Wars. Paul Bettany played Aubrey’s friend and ship surgeon Stephen Maturin.

A follow-up to Peter Weir’s superb film has been mentioned a few times over the years, but the return on investment is likely the big impediment now, given the frugal nature of Hollywood (for anything not based on toys, comics, theme park rides or other movies). There are substantial price tag and logistic issues associated with large-scale water-based productions, CG advancements or not. The first movie cost $150 million (and was made in part by Fox, which then also raises the question of a sequel’s quality — perhaps you’ve seen some of their recent output, such as DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION, MAX PAYNE, MEET DAVE or STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN LI).

Crowe is currently on land as the legendary do-gooder in Ridley Scott’s ROBIN HOOD.