James Mangold to Helm Disney’s Captain Nemo Movie

The Wolverine and 3:10 to Yuma helmer James Mangold will take on Disney’s Captain Nemo movie

Director James Mangold is gearing up for a trip 20,000 leagues under the sea. Deadline today brings word that The Wolverine helmer has signed on to direct Disney‘s Captain Nemo movie. In development for some time, the Captain Nemo movie is designed to serve as an origin story for the Jules Verne antihero.

Originally published in a serialized form beginning in 1869, Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea tells the story of Captain Nemo and the crew of his submarine vessel, the Nautilus, as they embark on incredible adventures and encounter fantastic sea life beneath the surface.

Multiple takes on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea have hit the big screen over the years, with director Richard Fleischer delivering Walt Disney Pictures’ 1954 version. Arguably the best known film adaptation, it stars Kirk Douglas and won two Academy Awards (Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color and Best Effects, Special Effects).

The Captain Nemo movie has come close to production in the past. A few years ago, David Fincher was attached to direct the film with reports suggesting that Brad Pitt was close to signing on for the title role. That iteration of the project boasted a screenplay that had been worked on by Scott J. Burns (The Bourne Ultimate, Contagion) and Andrew Kevin Walker (Se7en, Sleepy Hollow). The most current draft of the project hails from Sebastian Gutierrez (Snakes on a Plane, Gothika).

Disney’s Captain Nemo project is one of several feature films currently in development based on Verne’s classic science fiction tale. Mangold’s fellow X-Universe director, Bryan Singer is attached to direct his own version of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. That project has a bit of a head start as it is planned to begin shooting this fall. Mangold’s take is likely a bit further off as he’ll first take on the third Wolverine film, which is said to feature Hugh Jackman‘s final performance as the Marvel mutant. Look for it to hit theaters March 3, 2017.

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