David Fincher’s ‘20,000 Leagues Under The Sea’ Adaptation Isn’t Happening

David Fincher’s adaptation of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is dead in the water.

While many fans were hoping the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo director was still moving forward with the project, it would seem that the filmmaker has finally killed a nail into this particular endeavor. The adaptation of Jules Vernes’ classic novel is reportedly off the table.

According to Paste Magazine, David Fincher’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea movie has been dead for several months. The director is now moving forward with his adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl.

Despite a push from the Australian government to get the project up and running, it would appear that Fincher’s version of the novel isn’t going to happen. At one point in time, the director wanted Matt Damon, Daniel Craig, Brad Pitt, and Channing Tatum to tackle the lead role.

Collider reports that David Fincher was running into problems with Disney over who should star in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Although the studio wanted Chris Hemsworth in the lead, Fincher wasn’t exactly thrilled with the idea. Instead of trying to get Disney to see things his way, he decided to move on to the big-screen version of Gone Girl.

Gillian Flynn’s novel tells the story of a man who is blamed for the disappearance of his wife. Ben Affleck will star as Nick Dunne in the movie while Rosamund Pike is presently in talks to portray his wife. Charlize Theron and Natalie Portman were previously rumored to be up for the role. Production on the flick is expected to start shortly.

Now that the fate of Fincher’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea has been sealed, it’s unclear what will become of The Girl Who Played with Fire. Seven scribe Andrew Kevin Walker is reportedly working on another draft of the screenplay right now. Since the filmmaker is moving forward with Gone Girl, it’s unclear if he will have the time to helm the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo follow-up.

Are you disappointed that David Fincher scrapped his 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea adaptation?

[Image via Walt Disney Pictures]