William Hurt will portray the megamaniacal, peg-legged captain of the whaler Pequod and Ethan Hawke is set to play Starbuck in the upcoming Teutonic miniseries retelling of Moby Dick.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the miniseries is based on Herman Melville's 1851 novel, and is being produced by Herbert Kloiber's Tele Munchen and is being called the most expensive project in the German company's 40-year history. The budget is clocking at $25 million.

"We are delighted to have signed up two such powerful, charismatic and versatile actors as William Hurt and Ethan Hawke for the lead roles," Kloiber said.

Also back on board for the screen adaptation of the Melville classic is Sea Wolf director Mike Barker and script writer Nigel Williams, who penned the TV series Elizabeth I.

Shooting begins in Lunenburg on the east coast of Canada in mid September and continues thereafter in Malta. The project envisions CGI animation as well as action scenes on the high seas.

The mini will wrap in fall 2010.