On the list of films that deserved sequels but never received them, there’s little question that Peter Weir’s “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” sits high up on it.
The acclaimed 2003 adaptation of the Patrick O’Brian book series was set during the Napoleonic Wars and followed Capt. Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) who pushes his ship and crew to their limits in pursuit of a formidable French war vessel around South America.
Paul Bettany co-starred in the film which made over $200 million worldwide and scored ten Oscar nominations including Best Picture.
20th Century Studios are now reportedly developing a new feature based on the property with “A Monster Calls” scribe Patrick Ness adapting the script reports Deadline. Still in its very early days with no director or talent attached at this time, the plan is for the new film to adapt the first book in the series.
That story shows a young Aubrey when he is given his first command and also explores how his friendship with his naval surgeon Stephen Maturin begins. As a result, new talent will no doubt be hired to play Aubrey and Maturin.
O’Brian penned nearly two dozen books in the series so there’s no shortage of material to use.