 In 1952, Humphrey Bogart attempted to purchase the film rights to  Hemingways novel through his production company, Santana  Productions. Bogart identified strongly with the character of the  old man and wanted to play the fisherman in the film project, with  Nicholas Ray as the director. Unfortunately, the actor was  unsuccessful in securing the film rights, and the film wasnt made  until the year following his death, with his close friend Spencer  Tracy starring.