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Sonarman · 11-10-09, 05:39 PM

Steven Spielberg at one point was heavily involved in making a movie based on Admiral Fluckey's book "Thunder Below" was put on the shelf due to the fact that Universal was developing (the crappy) U-571 at the same time.

from Yahoo movies on writer Shane Salerno...
"Schmidt was also pitching a submarine story, "Thunder Below" which Salerno convinced Schmidt to let him write. Both projects were ultimately stalled, but not before "A Season in Hell" was bought for mid-six figures and "Thunder Below" was greenlighted by Steven Spielberg for DreamWorks. "

And just to show how many movies get knocked back check this feature from the UK Independent newspaper from 1998 which includes Thunder Below, I think the only movie made on the list was the then titled Proteus which became "Below. It's a shame as it was probably the worst of the bunch listed, but that's Hollywood!

Let's hope Mr Spielberg "unshelves" the film someday as WWII American submariners certainly deserve a serious movie of "Das Boot" quality as a tribute to their heroic exploits.

***UPDATE***
Whilst Steven Spielberg has not taken Thunder Below down from the shelf yet he has announced literally hours ago a new 10 part "Band of Brothers" style series called "The Pacific" following the wartime experiences of three American GIs.

11-10-09, 05:39 PM	#2
Sonarman The Old Man Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ayr,Scotland,UK Posts: 1,392 Downloads: 79 Uploads: 0	Steven Spielberg at one point was heavily involved in making a movie based on Admiral Fluckey's book "Thunder Below" was put on the shelf due to the fact that Universal was developing (the crappy) U-571 at the same time. from Yahoo movies on writer Shane Salerno... "Schmidt was also pitching a submarine story, "Thunder Below" which Salerno convinced Schmidt to let him write. Both projects were ultimately stalled, but not before "A Season in Hell" was bought for mid-six figures and "Thunder Below" was greenlighted by Steven Spielberg for DreamWorks. " And just to show how many movies get knocked back check this feature from the UK Independent newspaper from 1998 which includes Thunder Below, I think the only movie made on the list was the then titled Proteus which became "Below. It's a shame as it was probably the worst of the bunch listed, but that's Hollywood! Let's hope Mr Spielberg "unshelves" the film someday as WWII American submariners certainly deserve a serious movie of "Das Boot" quality as a tribute to their heroic exploits. *UPDATE* Whilst Steven Spielberg has not taken Thunder Below down from the shelf yet he has announced literally hours ago a new 10 part "Band of Brothers" style series called "The Pacific" following the wartime experiences of three American GIs. __________________ "The action is simulated...the excitement is real!" Microprose Simulation Software. Last edited by Sonarman; 11-10-09 at 07:48 PM.