Brownlow to script 'Captain Blood'

Philip Noyce developing swashbuckler for WB

By DAVE MCNARY

Warner Bros. has tapped John Brownlow to pen its remake of the classic swashbuckler "Captain Blood," produced by Bill Gerber.

Project's being developed by Philip Noyce with an eye toward directing. Warner is developing "Captain Blood" as a possible U.K./Australian co-production.

Errol Flynn starred in the 1935 original, directed by Michael Curtiz, as a doctor wrongly sentenced to slavery in the Caribbean, where he and his comrades become avenging pirates. It was nominated for the best picture Oscar.

Brownlow's credits include "Sylvia." He's adapting "Panic" for the Weinstein Co. and "Sabbatical" for Disney; he also has original thriller pitch "The Hero" at Miramax with Sean Bailey producing and Julian Farino attached to direct.