We’ve been hearing about 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA for a few years now. In February the project caught a break with financing thanks to the Australian Government. Disney got a tax break, and David Fincher was free to move on with production.
When we last reported that news, it was also said that Brad Pitt had to pass on the role of Ned Land. Apparently, this has pushed filming back to 2014. The flick was set to begin next month in Sydney, but they need their leading man first.
The first adaptation of Jules Vernes novel was made in 1954 with Kirk Douglas as Land and James Mason as Captain Nemo (one of my favorite performances). 20,000 LEAGUES tells the story of a crew, “sent to investigate mysterious encounters that are disrupting international shipping, Professor Aronnax, his servant Conseil, and disgruntled harpooner Ned Land are captured when their frigate is sunk during an encounter with the “monster.” The submarine Nautilus and its eccentric Captain Nemo afford the professor and his companions endless fascination and danger as they’re swept along on a yearlong undersea voyage.”
I wonder who Fincher has in mind for Land. It will also be interesting to see where the director takes a story like this one. I hope we aren’t updating in a few months saying the damn thing got put off for good.
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