Jake Gyllenhaal is teaming up with John Lesher for The Lost Airman, a true life World War Two adventure project.
Gyllenhaal is attached to star in the project and will produce with Riva Marker, his partner at NineStories. Lesher will produce through his Le Grisbi Productions.
Based on recently declassified materials, the book tells the incredible true story of Arthur Meyerowitz, an American turret-gunner whose B-24 bomber was shot down over Vichy France in 1943. While hiding in the French countryside, Meyerowitz befriended Marcel Talliander, the founder of the legendary French resistance group Morhange, who helped shelter the man from the Gestapo through his secret network. After six months of barely evading capture, Meyerowitz escaped through a carefully orchestrated plan that also involved R.F.W. Cleaver, one of the most accomplished British fighter pilots of the war.
Meyerowtiz, Anthony Mattero of Foundry Literary Media, and Dan Bodansky of Dixon Talentwill serve as executive producers.
Lesher, who won an Oscar for producing Birdman (along with Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and James Skotchdopole), is currently in production on White Boy Rick, a drug drama starring Matthew McConaughey.
Gyllenhaal next appears in Bong Joon Ho’s much-buzzed about environmental adventure movie, Okja, which bows on Netflix June 28. He also has Boston marathon drama Stronger in post. The movie, which is set to open September 22, is the first feature produced by NineStories.
Gyllenhaal is repped by WME and Bloom Hergott. Meyerowitz was repped in the deal by by UTA on behalf of Foundry Literary Media.
