In the Heart of the Sea

In the Heart of the Sea Information

In the Heart of the Sea is an upcoming biographical thriller film directed by Ron Howard. The film stars Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, and Tom Holland. It is based on Nathaniel Philbrick's 2000 book In the Heart of the Sea, about the sinking of the whaleship Essex. The film is scheduled for release on March 15, 2015.

Plot

In 1820, the whaleship Essex is crewed by Captain George Pollard, Jr. (Benjamin Walker), first mate Owen Chase (Chris Hemsworth), second mate Matthew Joy (Cillian Murphy), and cabin boy Thomas Nickerson (Tom Holland). During their voyage, the ship is sunk when it is rammed by a very large and enraged bull sperm whale, ultimately leaving its crew shipwrecked at sea for 90 days over a thousand miles from land. After the attack, the crew sails for South America and is forced to resort to cannibalism.

Cast

Chris Hemsworth as Owen Chase, the First Mate
Benjamin Walker as Captain George Pollard, Jr.
Cillian Murphy as Matthew Joy, the Second Mate
Tom Holland as Young Thomas Nickerson, the Cabin Boy
Ben Whishaw as Herman Melville
Brendan Gleeson as Old Thomas Nickerson
Michelle Fairley as Mrs Nickerson
Gary Beadle
Frank Dillane as Owen Coffin, cousin of Captain George Pollard, Jr.
Charlotte Riley as Peggy
Donald Sumpter as Paul Macy

Production

Pre-production

Before Benjamin Walker was set to play the Captain, other actors that were considered included Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston and Henry Cavill. The film was in talks back in 2000 with Barry Levinson directing for The Weinstein Company.

Filming

Filming began in September 2013 in London and at Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire, England, U.K. It was also shot on location on the island of La Gomera (plus some scenes on Lanzarote) in the Canary Islands, Spain. On November 22, 2013, it was announced that the film would be released on March 15, 2015.

In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Chris Hemsworth revealed that to prepare for the role of starving sailors, the cast were on a diet of 500–600 calories a day to lose weight.