?Herzog directing Moby Dick? Possible?

After seeing three of his films (Aguirre, Fitzcarraldo, and Grizzly Man), Herzog is the only director I know of who I imagine could make a worthy “adaptation” of Moby Dick.

And here is why.

1) Ahab and Herzog were made for each other

2) Most adaptations of the novel I’ve seen treat its source material as an ordinary novel which narrates a chronological plot. But Moby Dick isn’t an ordinary novel. In fact, I would go so far as to say that Moby Dick isn’t a novel at all, but rather an epic meditation. Despite this, previous adaptations have presented Moby Dick as the Jaws of the antebellum period.

If there was a faithful adaptation of Moby Dick, its cinematic style would have to be something between a narrative film and a meditative documentary. And that is the quality I see in Herzog’s films.

Any thoughts? Does anyone know if Herzog has ever considered such a project?

We live in a wonderful world, but it is not nearly wonderful enough for this to become a reality.

This level of perfection exists only in fantasy.

A faithful adaptation would have to include nine hours on whaling alone.

Still, if Herzog made it, I’d watch it.

To Drew Gregory.
You’re probably right, but the very attempt alone would be art. If inspiration is a beautiful seed, then art is the falling autumn leaves. Yes, the leaves fall and decay, but they are beautiful anyway.

Oh I’m not even saying Herzog couldn’t direct an amazing adaptation. I’m saying he can! But I’m jesting that for Herzog to take on this project would be too wonderful, so it’s doubtful to happen.

So who does Herzog cast as Ahab? As Ishmael?

EDIT: Not Daniel Day Lewis.

In Herzog I trust.

I have no idea who he shouldcast. Lets focus on Ahab who presents a more direct problem, his demonic intensity.
I can’t see anyone doing the Candles chapter where Ahab confronts the lightning. Supposing the impossible, could Klinski even pull that off?

Kinski is too easy, but I like your thinking. Any actor, alive or dead—who should play Ahab?

God in the mirror

Ok, I really don’t know.

How are Herzog’s acting skill anyway?

So Ahab would have a german accent? I wouldn’t care

Maybe he could find some great non-professional actor in his travels for documentaries.

Who cares who was cast as Ahab, because Herzog would make a terrible Ismael.

That would be a much more difficult casting. What I would be worried about is that who ever played Ismael would do it like Julian Sand’s performance of Percy Shelly in Ken Russell’s Gothic.

Oh, if only this could become reality.

Only hope he uses another CGI EFX house than the one that did Rescue Dawn.

This is now officially my favorite thread on MUBI. Herzog and Moby Dick? Holy bejeezus. And Kinski as Ahab? Yeah, its the obvious fantasy choice for the role, but still awesome.

Otherwise, I think Ian McShane might be able to bring the role justice

Or maybe Ray Romano? :)

Neat idea (Herzog, not Ray Romano). Maybe Patrick Stewart as Ahab?

Because the possibility is so tantalizing, I wouldn’t care if he just made an audio book. Whether a full reading, radio play, or just a commentary. Might be called “Herzog on Moby Dick”.

I once heard him read passages of Cormac McCarthy’s All the Pretty Horses on an NPR interview. Ever since, I can’t get his voice out of my head.