Spielberg obtains film rights to Crichton's 'Pirate Latitudes'

Spielberg, 62, who has previously directed Crichton's 'Jurassic Park' and 'The Lost World', is set to produce and possibly direct the adventure film, set in 17th Century Jamaica.

The novel, 'Pirate Latitudes', which is set to be published on November 24, is about a daring plan to infiltrate Port Royal, one of the world's richest and most notorious cities, and raid a Spanish galleon filled with treasure.

"Michael Crichton was one of our greatest storytellers who expanded all of our imaginations with his books, films, and television," the BBC quoted Spielberg as saying.

"With the ER and Jurassic Park series, I enjoyed one of the best collaborations of my career. Now with Pirate Latitudes, I have the chance to be excited about bringing this new Michael Crichton work to the screen," he added.

David Koepp, who wrote the film versions of Crichton's dinosaur novels, has also signed on to adapt the book.

Besides Jurassic Park, Crichton also penned books like Congo and Disclosure, all of which were adapted into films.

His novels have sold more than 150 million copies worldwide