Clint Eastwood is directing another film based on a true story. After earning the biggest hit of his iconic career with American Sniper, Eastwood will direct a film based on Capt. Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger’s ‘Miracle on the Hudson.’
News of the project was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Like American Sniper, it will be produced at Warner Bros.
“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,” Sullenberger said in a statement to THR. “The project could not have found a better home than Warner Bros. Pictures. This is truly a dream team.”
In January 2009, Sullenberger landed U.S. Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River after geese hit the plane’s engines. Everyone on board was saved, making Sullenberger a national hero instantly. He even published a memoir, titled Highest Duty: My Search For What Really Matters. Marshall and Stewart have had the film rights to the book since 2010.
Eastwood is set to co-produce with Marshall and Stewart under his Malpaso Productions banner. Todd Komarnicki wrote the Sullenberger screenplay.
Eastwood, who just turned 85 over the weekend, scored the biggest hit of his career with Sniper, which told the story of the late Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, starring Bradley Cooper. After its limited release in December, the film scored six Oscar nominations and has grossed $543 million worldwide, making it the biggest war movie ever made.
There were rumors that his next project would include either a remake of A Star Is Born or the Richard Jewell biopic. However, Cooper is set to take over directing on Star and Eastwood denied involvement in the Jewell film.
Eastwood’s history as a director includes four Oscars, all for producing and directing his two Best Picture winners, Million Dollar Baby and Unforgiven. He also received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 1995.
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