Back in 2003, Russell Crowe chose to play the role of Captain Jack Aubrey in Peter Weir’s “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” and it turned out to be one of the best performances of his career.
Based on author Patrick O’Brian’s series of novels, ‘Master and Commander’ was critically acclaimed, earning multiple Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Given the huge $150M budget, the film was unable to make its money back, failing to strike a chord with moviegoers. Plans to turn it into a franchise died in the water.
The film was a passion project of Fox’s Steve Asbell, and the fact that he even managed to greenlight the 2003 film is a damn near miracle — his attempts to boost up a sequel have also failed these last two decades. The good news is that Asbell is now President of 20th Century, and he’s telling THR that a ‘Master and Commander’ sequel has not left his mind, but since Weir is now retired, he just needs to find the right director now.
I’m trying so hard. It’s the first movie I worked on at Fox twenty years ago. We have a great script. It just needs the right director.
‘Master and Commander’ recently had a 20th anniversary screening at the Venice Film Festival, and a slew of think pieces resulted in that. The Independent called it a “cult classic” and blamed its commercial underperformance to the fact that it came out around at the same time as another high seas adventure (“Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”).
Back in 2017, Crowe stoked the fires of a sequel by writing on Twitter, “For the Aubrey Maturin lovers, I do hear whispers indeed that a second voyage is perhaps potentially pre-proposed a possibility. So O’Brian affectionate’s and aficionados , let [Fox] know of your pleasure.”
Back in 2009, there was talk that the eleventh book in O’Brian’s series would be adapted, a Caribbean-set story following Aubrey dealing with his illegitimate son, a priest. Crowe was in negotiations to return. I doubt Asbell is referring to this script. It’s most likely the prequel, based on the first novel, with Patrick Ness penning the story.
If the prequel does happen, it would be quite the gamble for 20th Century. The film came out almost 20 years ago, and wasn’t that successful. Is there actual demand, beyond a cultish fanbase, for this potentially expensive period film? Regardless, I wouldn’t complain much if it does happen, the source material is richly rewarding, especially if a talented filmmaker takes over for Weir.