Spielberg to Direct Movie Version of Crichton's Last Book
DreamWorks has acquired the rights to Michael Crichton's final book "Pirate Latitudes," which it plans to the big screen with Steven Spielberg directing and possibly producing the film.
According to an article on Variety.com, "Crichton's final manuscript, which HarperCollins plans to publish on Nov. 24, was found in completed form by Crichton's assistant. Set in 1665, 'Pirate Latitudes' revolves around a daring plan to infiltrate Port Royal, Jamaica, one of the world's richest and most notorious cities, and raid a Spanish galleon filled with treasure.'"
David Koepp will adapt the swashbuckling novel for the silver screen. Crichton, Spielberg and Koepp have created movie magic together before.
Crichton wrote "Jurassic Park" and "The Lost World," both of which Koepp adapted for Spielberg to direct.
"Michael was a scrupulous researcher and one of the most innovative writers of our era," said Koepp. "To have gotten to work with one of his novels was a privilege; to work with three seems like a dream."
In addition to their wildly successful movie collaboration, Crichton and Spielberg also worked together on the long-running medical drama "ER," which debuted in 1994.
"Michael Crichton was one of our greatest storytellers who expanded all of our imaginations with his books, films, and television," said Spielberg. "With the 'ER' series and 'Jurassic Park' series, I enjoyed one of the best collaborations of my career. Now with 'Pirate Latitudes,' I and all of us at DreamWorks have the chance to be excited about bringing this new Michael Crichton work to the screen."
Creative Arts Agency (CAA) brokered the deal of selling the rights on behalf of the Crichton estate in conjunction with the literary agency of Janklow & Nesbit.
A HollywoodReporter.com article added that, "A Harvard medical school graduate, Crichton published deeply researched novels, typically about technology run amok, for 40 years. A dozen of his books were adapted into films, and he also wrote and/or directed original screenplays, including 'Twister,' 'Runaway,' 'Looker' and 'Westworld.'"