Clint Eastwood Set To Direct Biopic On Hudson River Pilot Hero ‘Sully’ Sullenberger
Clint Eastwood will helm Warner Bros. Pictures’ as-yet-untitled drama about the life of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who became an American hero when, in 2009, he landed his disabled jet on the Hudson River, saving the lives of everyone aboard — passengers and crew, which numbered 155 people. Eastwood last directed American Sniper, a biopic about another American hero, Navy Seal sharpshooter Chris Kyle. That film grossed $543.4M worldwide.
It’s not clear who would play Sullenberger. Will Eastwood step into that role himself? Only time will tell, however, he apparently has no plans to at the moment.
Eastwood will direct the new biopic from a screenplay by Todd Komarnicki, which was based on the book Highest Duty: My Search For What Really Matters, by Sullenberger and Jeffrey Zaslow.
The film will be produced by Eastwood and Tim Moore, for Malpaso; Frank Marshall (Kennedy/Marshall) and Allyn Stewart, for Flashlight Films. Flashlight’s Kipp Nelson and RatPac-Dune’s Steven Mnuchin will executive produce.
Warner Bros. announced the new film today, saying “it 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. But behind the scenes, a drama was unfolding that could have cost him his reputation and his wings.”
“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 in a statement. “The project could not have found a better home than Warner Bros. Pictures. This is truly a dream team.”
Related stories
'The X-Files' Fox Revival Enlists Joel McHale As Guest Star
'Grizzly Adams' Film, Television, Merchandising & Licensing Rights On Block
Electronic Platforms Will Drive Hollywood Growth Through 2019 - Forecast
Get more from Deadline.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
