Clint Eastwood will direct an untitled biopic about the life of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger for Warner Bros, the studio announced Tuesday.
Sullenberger became an American hero when he landed his disabled jet on the Hudson River, saving the lives of everyone aboard.
The film will go beyond Sullenberger’s almost impossible and much-heralded achievement of safely landing a jumbo jet on the water, which was captured on video and viewed around the world. Behind the scenes, a drama was unfolding that could have cost him his reputation and his wings.
Eastwood will direct the film from a screenplay by Todd Komarnicki, based on the book “Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters,” by Sullenberger and Jeffrey Zaslow.
The film is being produced by Eastwood and Tim Moore, for Malpaso; Frank Marshall, under the Kennedy/Marshall banner; and Allyn Stewart, for Flashlight Films.
Flashlight’s Kipp Nelson and RatPac-Dune’s Steven Mnuchin are serving as executive producers.
“Simply put, Clint Eastwood is at the top of his game, not to mention a global treasure,” said Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures, in a statement. “On the heels of his extraordinary work in ‘American Sniper,’ it is tremendously exciting to see him explore the life of another captivating true-life hero. It is also great to be collaborating with Frank Marshall and Allyn Stewart to produce this compelling script by Todd Komarnicki.”
“I am very glad my story is in the hands of gifted storyteller and filmmaker Clint Eastwood, and veteran producers Allyn Stewart and Frank Marshall,” said Sullenberger. “The project could not have found a better home than Warner Bros. Pictures. This is truly a dream team.”
Eastwood last directed “American Sniper” starring Bradley Cooper. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards.