Actor Ben Whishaw has signed up to play 'Moby Dick' author Herman Melville in Ron Howard's adaptation of 'In the Heart of the Sea', a novel by Nathaniel Philbrick .
The epic tragedy film follows a crew of seamen in 1820 who are stranded at sea for 90 days after their whaling ship, The Essex, sinks during an attack by a giant whale, reported Contactmusic.
Fellow British actor Osy Ikhile will play a sailor named Peterson, following reports the young actor had been eyed for the character.
The film will mark Whishaw's first big role since appearances in popular UK series 'Misfits' and 'Fresh Meat'.
The movie's cast will be led by 'Thor' actor Chris Hemsworth, and the flick will also star Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson, Tom Holland, Frank Dillane and Sam Keeley.
"In the Heart of the Sea" is being produced by Warner Bros and Village Roadshow.
