It’s been almost a year since renowned author Michael Crichton passed away. In that time frame, his family discovered the completed, but never published 300+ page book called Pirate Latitudes. Before the book is even released on November 24, 2009, it’s naturally already being developed into a movie, and who better to develop the work of Crichton than a one Steven Spielberg and writer David Koepp.
Spielberg and Crichton worked together on multiple projects, such as creating E.R. and the movie Twister. Of the work they did together, nothing stands out more than the Crichton book that Koepp adapted to script form and Spielberg directed that went on to change movies forever: Jurassic Park. Fittingly enough, as it turns out, Mr. Spielberg had always wanted to do a pirate movie, and now there’s one here looking at him.
At this moment, Spielberg is only developing and producing the project, but there is the chance that he’ll direct it, as well. Considering the material, the fallen friend, the story behind it all, it doesn’t sound like something he might direct…it sounds like a project that he simply HAS to direct. Only time will tell for sure.
It’s a very sad day today, as author Michael Crichton has passed away at the age of 66 after a battle with cancer.
This comes as a surprise to everyone because no one knew he was sick, but apparently it’s also a surprise to those who knew because he was supposedly making a lot of good progress in his battle.
Crichton is best known for his books, penning classics such as The Andromeda Strain, Congo, Sphere, and Jurassic Park among many others. On top of writing these books, he also directed some little-known films in the 70s and early 80s and then went on to help write the screenplays for Jurassic Park and Twister and co-create mega-show ER.
Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press
