Steven Spielberg and the War Horse he rode in on

See ya later, Abe. Not now, space travel. Take a rest, Gershwin.

After developing at least a dozen different projects over the past few years, Steven Spielberg has finally decided on his next. And it will be WAR HORSE, an adaptation of the novel by Michael Morpurgo.

Dreamworks optioned the rights to the book (published in 1982) just last December. The story has also been adapted to the London stage.

Here’s what it’s all about: In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey’s courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer’s son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?

Spielberg has been playing with his tech toys on TINTIN and developing various other projects, some of which (like the HARVEY and OLDBOY remakes) have thankfully been put to bed while others hang in a holding pattern. He’s also still cranking away in a producer capacity on the Coens’ TRUE GRIT, Jon Favreau’s COWBOYS & ALIENS and a cable miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s brick “Under the Dome”.