In addition to the release date announcement, Universal Pictures confirms the joining of 'Hancock' director Peter Berg to helm this live-action movie based on Hasbro's naval combat board game.
- September 15, 2009
AceShowbiz -
A live-action adaptation of Hasbro's board game, "Battleship", has locked a release date in summer of 2011. Universal Pictures has recently announced the movie project that is said to be "an epic naval action adventure" will be heading into cinemas across the U.S. on July 1, 2011.
The revelation of the movie's theatrical release came along with the report that Peter Berg has struck a deal with the studio to direct the project. The deal is part of a two-picture pact the "Hancock" helmer made with Universal. When he's done with "Battleship", the 45-year-old is expected to follow it up with Afghan war drama "Lone Survivor".
To Variety, Berg described "Battleship" as "a contemporary story of an international five-ship fleet engaged in a very dynamic, violent and intense battle". Uttering his passion to ship-bound war stories, he further shared, "I've been consumed with doing one of these since I tried to convince Tom Rothman at Fox to make a film about John Paul Jones, the founder of the American Navy."
"As a kid, I was dragged from Navy museum to museum, and spent so much time on ships, listening to my father talk about the great battles of WWII, I did my high school thesis on the Battle of Midway," he continued. "When this came up, it didn't take me long to find a take for a film that is filled with raucous action-packed naval battles."
"Battleship" board game was launched by Milton Bradley in 1967. Its movie adaptation will be produced by Scott Stuber alongside Hasbro's Brian Goldner and Bennett Schneir, as well as Berg and his Film 44 partner Sarah Aubrey. The script is provided by Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber. Production is scheduled to begin spring 2010.
