David Fincher is reportedly looking to make 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea his next directorial effort, with Brad Pitt in mind to star as Ned Land in the Jules Verne adaptation. Disney is currently holding the project, as it has not yet been green-lit, although these big names will certainly help the film’s prospects.
According to Variety, Disney has placed a three-month hold on Fincher and the project while it decides whether to green-light the project. This comes while Fincher awaits a script for the The Girl Who Played With Fire from Steve Zaillian, as sources say Paramount is not in any hurry for the sequel, and neither is Fincher.
While nothing is confirmed, Variety says that Fincher is courting his frequent star Brad Pitt, although nothing is set in stone as Pitt’s reps say he is still deciding among several potential projects for 2013. Disney declined to comment on the story, although with no denials, things very much appear to be in the conversation stage, as the report would suggest.
Back in November 2011 Fincher hired Andrew Kevin Walker, who penned the Se7en screenplay, to adapt the Jules Verne novel. The Mouse House previously released a 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea adaptation in 1954, with Kirk Douglas starring. While no names have been thrown into the ring, Variety speculates that an older A-list star would be in line to play the iconic Captain Nemo, which would seem like no-brainer for Disney and Fincher.
For those unfamiliar with the iconic tale, the story follows “a ship sent to investigate a wave of mysterious sinkings encounters the advanced submarine, the Nautilus, commanded by Captain Nemo.”
Pitt is only currently attached to one project other than those which have already completed filming, which is The Gray Man, a project that has been in development hell for years.