Steven Spielberg developing final Michael Crichton novel
Story by Jack Foley
STEVEN Spielberg is developing Pirate Latitudes, the final novel by Michael Crichton, into a new movie even before the book is published.
According to USA Today, Spielberg has already read the book, which is due for release in mid-November, and is keen to see it realised as a motion picture.
The story follows a pirate named Hunter as he plots to steal treasure from a Spanish galleon with assistance from the governor of Jamaica. It’s described as “a mission movie” that also provides an insight into Jamaican life at that time.
David Koepp is currently adapting the screenplay, which Spielberg may yet direct as well as produce.
Stacey Snider, CEO of Dreamworks, told USA Today: “Without Michael knowing it, or even me knowing it, it turns out Steven always wanted to direct his own pirate film.”
Crichton, whose books include Jurassic Park and The Andromeda Strain, died in November last year following a battle with cancer.
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