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'In the Heart of the Sea' trailer shows the story that may have inspired 'Moby-Dick'

'Sea' stars Chris Hemsworth as the first mate of the Essex, the crew of which encountered a sperm whale in the South Pacific.

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Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Chris Hemsworth stars in 'In the Heart of the Sea.'
  • By Molly Driscoll Staff Writer

A trailer has arrived for the upcoming film adaptation of Nathaniel Philbrick’s book “In the Heart of the Sea.”

The movie is directed by Ron Howard and stars Chris Hemsworth of “Thor” as Owen Chase, who served as first mate on the ship the Essex. In the movie, the Essex is attacked by a sperm whale and the crew must try to survive in three smaller boats, staying on the open ocean for more than 90 days. In the film, actor Brendan Gleeson portrays cabin boy Thomas Nickerson (played at a younger age by Tom Holland), who when he is older tells the story of the ship to Herman Melville (“Skyfall” actor Ben Whishaw), who wrote a book about a whale you might have heard of. 

The movie also stars “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” actor Benjamin Walker as the Essex captain George Pollard, among others.

“We were headed for the edge of sanity,” Thomas Nickerson (with Gleeson portraying him) says. “Like we were apparitions, phantoms. Trust gave way to doubt, hope to superstition. The tragedy of the Essex is the story of men and a demon.” 

The film is being released this March.

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