Captain Paul Watson, the eco-friendly pirate, Greenpeace activist, and center of the show Whale Wars, claims that a film about him has been in the works since 1981. Fast forward the tape thirty years, and it appears the film, titled OCEAN WARRIOR, is finally ready to go. Watson claims that Ewan McGregor is close to signing on to play him in this biopic that will follow Watson from the start of his campaigning for Greenpeace to how he founded the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

Keith Ross Leckie and Julie Allen were commissioned to pen the script for the film last year. This was a long time coming according to Watson, who explained, “The making of this movie has been a project in Hollywood since 1981 when Tony Bill first bought the rights from me for Warner Brothers. The option rights have been purchased every year but now finally it looks promising, with a written script and serious pre-production work.”

It is hard to figure out what has taken so long if Watson is being truthful when he recounts the interest in the project from some of Hollywood’s biggest players.

“Over the years a number of actors have requested to play my part including Sean Penn, Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aiden Quinn, Rutger Hauer, Clive Owens (sic) etc,” Watson claimed. “As of now it looks like Ewan McGregor. I think he will do a good job, although I would love to see long time Sea Shepherd supporter Christian Bale take the part.”

Watson added a little pitch for his love interest, “As for a leading lady my favorite actress has always been Sophie Marceau, but the choice is not mine, unfortunately.”

I do find it a bit odd that an altruistic activist is so wrapped up in a Hollywood biopic about himself. I do not recall someone so vehemently wanting a film made about his or her self since Daniel Ruettiger went on a crusade to get RUDY made in 1993. I always have reservations about the subject of a film being so close to a picture. Are we really going to get an objective look at the man, warts and all, or will it be a back-slapping affair?

Sources Monster and Critics, Daily Record