Herman Melville’s classic novel, Moby Dick, was largely inspired by the sinking of the whaling ship Essex in 1820. Later this year, director Ron Howard will bring the story of the Essex and its crew to life in his adaptation of Nathaniel Philbrick’s non-fiction novel, In the Heart of the Sea.

Thor star Chris Hemsworth is reuniting with Howard after collaborating on Rush in 2013. For this film, Hemsworth portrayed Owen Chase, the First Mate of the Essex opposite Benjamin Walker as Captain George Pollard. Future Spider-Man star Tom Holland co-stars as Thomas Nickerson, the ship’s cabin boy, with Brendan Gleeson as an older Thomas Nickerson, Michelle Fairley as Mrs. Nickerson, Gary Beadle as William Bond, Frank Dillane as Owen Coffin, Cillian Murphy as Matthew Joy, and Ben Whishaw as Herman Melville.

The ordeal of the Essex was one of the most memorable maritime disasters of the 19th century. In the final trailer for In the Heart of the Sea, the crew of the Essex encounters a particularly dangerous whale that destroys their ship and threatens to leave the crew completely helpless in the sea. But the real drama comes after the sinking of the Essex, as the survivors struggle to survive and they turn to extreme measures as a very last resort. Suffice to say, not everyone made it home alive.

In the Heart of the Sea will be released on December 11 in theaters everywhere.

Movie fans, are you interested in seeing Ron Howard’s take on the real life event that inspired Moby Dick? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

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Image Credit: Village Roadshow Pictures/Imagine Entertainment