While Disney is keeping the Pirates franchise afloat (the fifth film will sail into our cinemas in 2017), it appears the studio is looking in some unexpected places for adventure. Syriana** writer/director Stephen Gaghan is now attached to a pitch about Charles Darwin.
According to Deadline, the Mouse House wants to make a thrilling adventure film from Darwin’s travels, likely focusing on his five-year voyage of discovery aboard the HMS Beagle in 1831. It was mostly intended for scientific investigation, with Darwin pursuing his interest in natural history and making finds that would later fuel his theories in evolution, making him one of the most famous people in history.
But there were a few encounters with natives and others along the way, and the crew experienced an earthquake in Chile, which could provide a little drama. Plus there’s always a chance for that old “based on” phrase to come into play, giving Gaghan scope to invent some events.
The film doesn’t yet have a title, and it’s very early days, so we’ll have to see if this one makes it through the tough evolutionary challenge of development. Gaghan, meanwhile, is preparing to direct Gold, a drama about a real-life mining scandal that will star Matthew McConaughey, Michelle Williams and Edgar Ramirez.