Latest word on the grapevine has it that Warner Bros. will continue their long-standing relationship with the ever-so-charming Robert Downey, Jr. in a film revolving around the famed U.S.S. Indianapolis. Downey will not be starring, but rather producing alongside wife/producer Susan Downey. [THR]
When recalling the story of the WWII battleship, the first thing that springs to mind for most film-goers is Robert Shaw‘s impeccable monologue from Jaws, and appropriately enough the currently untitled film seems to play on just that. Set in 1996, the story focuses on 11 year-old Hunter Scott, who was “looking for a subject for a national History Day competition when he watched Jaws and was inspired [to find] out how the warship was sunk by torpedoes and how for five days its stranded crew was slowly eaten by the finned meat-eaters.” Upon digging into the story, Scott took it upon himself to exonerate Capt. Charles McVay, the man “unjustly court-martialed” after the incident.
No word yet on who will be playing Scott or McVay, but Warner Bros. and Team Downey have rodeoed Emmy Nominee Robert Schenkkan (The Pacific) into penning the drama, and with a credit like that, the man seems more than up to the task.
The as yet nameless film has no director, or release date at this point, but for those of you hungry for a bit of the story, get your fix below:
Are you excited to see the story of The U.S.S. Indianapolis brought to life? Who do you think should be cast? To helm?