The story of an American ship captain who was captured last month by Somali pirates is set to be turned into a Hollywood movie.
Columbia Pictures said on Thursday it has acquired the life story rights of Richard Phillips, 53, captain of the cargo ship Maersk Alabama, who surrendered himself to pirates in exchange for the lives of his crew off the coast of Somalia.
Captain Phillips was held for five days in a lifeboat on the Indian Ocean, until US Navy snipers shot and killed three of the pirates.
Columbia Pictures said the feature film would be co-produced by actor Kevin Spacey.
Casting has not been announced. The studio said it was too early to forecast a possible release date for the movie.
