Disney’s got “a whale of a tale” planned: a prequel series to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The 1870 sci-fi novel by Jules Verne was adapted as a 1954 movie starring Kirk Douglas that remains one of Disney’s most beloved live-action films.
The Hollywood Reporter has it that the prequel, titled Nautilus, will be a 10-part series that focuses on the early adventures of Captain Nemo aboard his submarine, the Nautilus.
Disney+ orders Nautilus, a prequel series to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
There are lots of things about Verne’s original story that didn’t make their way into Disney’s 1954 movie. The prequel will address Nemo’s early days as an Indian prince who lost everything when he became a prisoner of the East India Company. After that, he set out on a revenge mission.
The Nautilus is Nemo’s greatest creation. Years ahead of any technology that exists in Nemo’s time, the Nautilus allows the seafaring former prince a chance to set sail for undersea adventure while also fighting the people who wronged him. He’s like a Robin Hood of the Seven Seas. His ship has a Steampunk feel to it, a vision of what advanced technology would look like in the 19th century.
Johanna Devereaux will serve as an executive producer on Nautilus, and James Dormer will write and executive produce. “Jules Verne’s story is a beloved classic all around the world. It’s a huge privilege to bring the Nautilus and her crew to life again in such a bold, exciting way, with a diverse team of creative talent and onscreen characters,” Devereaux said. “The series will be breathtaking, action-packed and a huge amount of fun.”
The project was announced at the 2021 Edinburgh TV Festival, joining dozens of projects that Disney+ has planned in the coming years.
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