USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage is the latest movie to directed by Mario Van Peebles and this would be produced by Hannibal Pictures.
The script would be written by Cam Cannon and Richard Rionda, Del Castro of Hannibal fame. The multi-talented Peebles is hopeful that the true story of the sunken ship would strike a chord among the audience. The ship had apparently sunk in the South Pacific in July 1945, after delivering certain parts for the first ever atomic bomb. A number of crewmen were drowned immediately. The others faced dehydration, saltwater poisoning, exposure and sometimes even attacks by shark as they waited for help. At the end of the struggle, 317 sailors survived.
The project has been in development since 2011. It is written with the U.S. Navy for accuracy and heavily funded by Patriot Pictures. Shooting is expected to start in June 2014 in Mobile, Alaska.
“Essentially, it is the extraordinary story of ordinary servicemen on opposite sides of the war and they find themselves in a catch 22 situation thrusted upon by the war. It is a deeply motivating story of heroism and sacrifice which would keep the film an excellent watch”, Van Peebles said.
Michael Mendelsohn and Richard Rionda Del Castro would be producing the movie. Hayley Magouirk Arabia, Cam Cannon, Patricia Eberle and Timothy Patrick Cavanaugh are the executive producers of the film.
Peebles has directed a lot of TV episodes on 2013. NCIS, Zero Hour, Nashville and the latest teen musical dramedy, We The Party are the ones he has to be proud of.