July 18, 2009 | by Rob Keyes 

Master and Commander 2? Please Let It Be So

Russell Crowe in Master and Commander 2: The Reverse of the Medal

[UPDATE: Sadly We now know that director Peter Weir will NOT be returning for the sequel.]

Currently one of my top 10 movies, Master and Commander: The Far Side of The World is a film that was set up perfectly for a sequel to be made quickly. Despite mostly solid reviews, a pair of Oscars and a worldwide box-office gross of $212 million, the sequel I wanted to see didn’t come to be.

There have been rumblings of work towards a sequel for quite some time now and this weekend, we may have even more movement on that front.

According to Crowe, yesterday he revealed that there’s a written script for a sequel based on The Reverse of the Medal, Patrick O’Brian’s eleventh book of the Master and Commander series and that they’ve begun early discussions for the project.

“There’s still a long way to go”

The first film was incredible and it featured two stellar actors and performances in Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. Six years have passed since then and there’s no word yet on a production schedule.

Peter Weir wrote and directed the first and the only project he’s worked on since (which he also wrote and direct) is The Way Back starring Colin Farrell, Jim Sturgess, Mark Strong and Ed Harris. That movie is planned to open sometime next year.

I hope this happens but according to Crowe, it is just one of the many projects he is considering for the future at the moment.

Did you love the first Master and Commander as much as I did and would you like to see another story following the adventure of Captain Jack Aubrey ans Dr. Stephen Maturin?

Source: Associated Press

UPDATE source: The Playlist

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  • Just
    Personally, I'd love to see an M&C 2. The movie, one of my favorites of all time, let me to Patrick O'Brian's novels - which are even better.

    Paul Bettany is an excellent actor and would be well able to expand upon the true depth of Steven Maturin. In the novels, Maturin is a much deeper and more compelling character than the one in the movie. I think Weir did the best he could with the time he had... but there's a lot to work with for the sequel.

    Another note: of the O'Brian novels, Reverse of the Medal is an interesting choice... it's not very focused on sea battles and action. Much (most?) takes place in England and centers around political intrigue (way too convoluted to get into here).
  • rottlady
    LOVED the movie and i am a woman. It's in my top movies list along with: Gladiator, Kingdom of the Sun, Hunt for Red October etc

    I really wish for a sequel, several even...
  • dpug l
    One of the great films. It doesn't have to be everyones' cup o' tea (or "soused hogs face" for that matter), but long after other historical adventures have faded and taken on a cliched patina, the smack of authenticity, astonishing imagery and cinematograpy and the warmth of human emotion that exemplified Master and Commander will continue as a superb example of how a literary classic like O'brian's M&C series can both capture and expand upon the orginal source work to the edification of the characters, the history, and viewer and the story itself.
    Whether Wier is director or is involved in the production in another production capacity, it will garner great interest by an avid audience that is discrimating, selective and focused, and eager for more action above and below decks on the Surprise.
    If I could invest $100 right now for tickets in 5 years my only question would be "where do I send it now"?
    Scratch a post...now turn three times.
  • Gary
    I Loved the original.
    I REALLY hope this happens .
    If they can do Elizabeth : The Golden Age ,
    They can certainly invest in a sequel to the vastly Superior Master And Commander.
  • CaptJackFan
    Oh, women LOVE the books and the movie. Women who love MEN, not skinny teen boys. I am just one of them. Actually, the only people I know who read all the books were women. We all saw the movie...several times. I am absolutely thrilled that there is a rumbling for the sequel and that they are looking at what I consider the best, most gripping book of the 20. I do wonder if they might incorporate some plotting from 12 and 13 as the 3 books really have a story arc. But Reverse of the Medal is Awesome. Hurrah for more Captain Jack!!!!
  • Fairygreen
    Thandrale, I have to disagree with you. Women do not wish to see only romantic comedies. I loved this film. It is in my own top 10. Peter Weir has an amazing talent for creating an atmosphere. I told my friends after seeing this in the theater, that the only thing missing was the water being sprayed out over the audience. That is how drawn I felt into the world Weir created. Funnily enough, either he or one of the producers made that same exact comment in the booklet that came with the DVD. That being said, I know a lot of people, male and female, who just didn't get this movie. Strange how I could be so utterly fascinated, yet they were bored out of their skulls.
  • Thandrale
    to Bill Blurne
    You are one lucky dog. Don't ever let that gal go.
  • Iron Knight
    I really liked the movie. Both Crowe and Bettany gave fine performances. I wish it had won more Oscars but that year was totally LOTR's. Not that I complain though.
  • @Thandrale, I was going to point out that your point about this movie not really having much for women wasn't really true. My wife loved this movie, too. Of course, then I realized I happen to be a lucky devil who has a wife that only wants to watch movies that have "cool guys with swords." Yes, she's an odd woman, but I'm not complaining given I've gotten out of soooooo many chick flick because of it.
  • Thandrale
    I think one of the reasons this movie didn't go over too well was it had nothing for the female audience. I think there was one bit part of a native girl and that was it. No romance angle of any kind. It was a pure sea adventure like Moby Dick.
  • Stu Shiffman
    That would be incredible - I never expected there to even be any talk about it at this point.

    "You have debauched my sloth!'
  • Lank
    Can't understand the appeal... nothing happened in it!

    And I worry about the mental stability of somebody who's "on the floor for days" over a pun.
  • steven the git
    Love that movie. Got the dvd, the special one. Not Crowe's biggest fan but he was great in this and Bettany too, totally agree.
    But lots of good characters in the crew, and for a Brit lots of people you recognise.

    At the end, when the boy asks the big gruff man to help him sew up the bag his friend is in, almost breaks my heart.
  • This film was exceptional, it took a period and premise often associated with adventure films nowadays and gave us a film that was 100% serious, yet charming at the same time. More films should be like this.
  • Rhaemye
    Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany were great in it, but indeed, Peter Weir always tends to make looooong stretchhhhed out movies. I´m not a big fan of his work (The Truman Show could've been a lot better for example), but M&C was okay. Just okay, in a 'what am I gonna do on this rainy Sunday afternoon' kind of way.
  • @thandrale, I think what impressed me most about the movie's portrayal was that it also added in a touch of the mundane in the crew's daily lives. That's a rather bold move, and one I felt the movie handled well.

    For those that didn't enjoy this film because they found it boring, I can understand why you felt this way. I personally was not bored by the story, though. As with even many popular films and books (such as The Da Vinci Code, Twilight, Transformers, Gone With the Wind, Harry Potter, Star Wars, etc.), no single story or storytelling style can work for everyone and it's unrealistic to expect otherwise. I think "Master and Commander" connected with enough people to be considered a successful film, though. For my part, I wish there were more movies such as this one.

    @Tiny, loved that line, too! This movie had a lot of great one-liners, which is kind of ironic given it was a dramatic war film.
  • thandrale
    This was one of the few historical movies that actually gave you that sense of wonder that exploring must have given people.

    Throw in humor, ship combat and the comradery of shipmates and you just can't beat it.
  • Tiny
    Remember ,"One must always choose the lesser of two Weevils"

    that line had me on the floor for days's

    Other then that stellar flick, was watching it last week and thinking about a sequel myself
  • Longshanks
    I'm gonna have to agree with Greenknight333 and Steve,this movie was boring.I'll take it a step further and just say that it was flat out terrible.

    Couldn't understand a damn thing they were saying with those thick accents,plus the pacing was absolutely dreadful,and went on longer than it should have.

    I honestly never understood the appeal of this movie.I saw it with a free pass with a friend and we both hated it.I will avoid this sequel at all cost,but to those who like the first one,enjoy.
  • Robert Palmar
    England is under threat of invasion,
    and though we be on the far side of the world,
    this ship is our home. This ship, is England.

    The woman beside me in the theater started crying
    when Russell uttered those words in his brilliant performance.

    Master and Commander may be the most unappreciated classic.
    It is what filmmaking is all about and filmmaking at its very best.

    Key players signed a contract at the time for two more films to
    ensure much of the original cast comes back in case a sequel is made.

    Such contracts do not last forever as recently seen with Brandon Routh
    and the contracts for this film are likely nearing their expiration
    adding incentive to start a production relatively soon.
    Crowes's interest adds wind to the sails.

    I'm on board and join the toast for a return:
    Capt. Jack Aubrey: To wives and sweethearts.
    Officers: To wives and sweethearts.
    Capt. Jack Aubrey: May they never meet.
  • Ro
    Master & Commander easily made my Favourite Alltime Top Ten list. It is a true masterpiece. Sadly it was bowled over by the LOTR Oscar juggernaut luv-fest and never received its true recognition. The books are magnificent and Reverse of the Medal, with one scene in particular, cries out for a cinematic treatment.
    It will only be worth doing if Crowe and Bettany and as many other of the strong supporting cast as possible (that means YOU, David Threlfall !!) are back aboard. Weir has said he doesn't do sequels, so it would require a director willing to do the meticulous background preparation and not rely too heavily on special effects.
    These days that's a short list.
  • Francisca Susi
    Pls GOD, let this one be a reality! M&C is a breathtakingly beautiful film. Some may consider it as too classic, slow and boring, but for me it's a masterpiece from Peter Weir. Captain Jack Aubrey is a character that Russell Crowe was born to play. I hope Peter Weir would take the director's position again. He's such a brilliant filmmaker. The 20-series books are so much fun to read.
  • hatchepsout
    I would dream of a sequel, but is it realistic to consider gathering the same parameters to achieve such a magnificent and outstandingly genuine masterpiece, without speaking of the main characters ' and Director's availability ?

    Let's cross our fingers !
  • macca
    I loved the original film ... it completely pulled me in and took me along for the seafaring ride of a lifetime. I think I've seen it a dozen times, including watching the DVD I bought.

    Could a sequel capture the same magic? The incredible mood vision Peter Weir provided? I've no doubt that Crowe and Bettany could bring their characters back to life, but would Weir be on board as well?

    There's no time to lose.
  • Eliza
    Bring on the sequel!! I loved the first film- it's one of my favourite movies (the books are fantastic too), so a sequel would be most appreciated.
  • For onc I'm glad for a sequel. This is not a film that follows a historic line perfectly, it's just made for fun, so yeah a sequel will fit in the picture.
    It always reminded me of a bigger budget version of Hornblower, wich are very fun films to watch in the summer period.
  • I thought they had already announced this film...wait...that was Battleship.
  • stuntmanJ
    greenknight333 is right about the domestic box office, it's definitely a movie that appeals more to an international audience. It may not be promoted as heavily the second time around, stateside anyway. Still I would really love to see the story continue on the big screen.
  • greenknight333
    I thought the first movie was B-O-R-I-N-G!!! It took so long to get going and then not much really happened..I was not really suprised it only made 90 million domestically..and there is potential for how many of these ..20!! I did enjoy Crowe and Bettany together and many of the novels feature these characters.
  • Evie
    I loved it, but then again, I love Crowe.
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