Screentime acquires Fitzsimons’ Batavia

Screentime has acquired the film rights to Peter Fitzsimon’s bestseller, Batavia.

The story, based on historical events of 1629 about Dutch merchant ship Batavia, foundered off the coast of Western Australia, will be made into a six hour mini-series and has already received interest from broadcasters both local and international.

The book is billed as ‘a sea-faring adventure full of mutiny, love, lust, criminality, slavery and the birth of the world’s first corporation.’

Screentime Executive Chairman Des Monaghan said in a statement: “I am delighted that we have been successful in acquiring the rights to Batavia. Peter FitzSimons has brought to vivid life this truly extraordinary chapter in Australia’s history. The book deserves its bestseller status and we look forward to bringing it to the screen as a big budget major television event.”