Production is now underway onClint Eastwood’s 35th feature film as a director,Sully. Based on true events, the Warner Bros. drama starsTom Hanksas Captain Chelsey “Sully” Sullenberger, the “Miracle on the Hudson” pilot who glided his disabled plane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson, saving the lives of 155 onboard. Scripted byTodd Komarnickiand based on the bookHighest Duty: My Search for What Really Mattersby Sullenberger andJeffery Zaslow, Eastwood’s film not only recounts Sully’s heroic efforts, but also the dramatic aftermath during which an investigation threatened to destroy his reputation and career.
Hanks is joined in the cast byAaron Eckhartas Sully’s co-pilot andLaura Linneyas his wife, with Eastwood,Frank Marshall,Allyn Stewart, andTim Mooreproducing. Production began in New York, where the “Miracle on the Hudson” event happened, but will also move to North Carolina, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.
Given Eastwood’s recent output, I can’t say I’m “excited” aboutSully, andRobert Zemeckisalready kind of perfected the whole plane crash sequence inFlight, but the true story captured the interest of the American public quite strikingly, so I imagine this will be a sizeable hit once it’s released. Eastwood is working with his same longtime collaborators, including cinematographerTom Sternand production designerJames J. Murakami, so don’t expect any striking change-ups in Eastwood’s signature visual style (No colors allowed!).
A release date forSullyhas yet to be set, but Eastwood works very fast (it’s almost guaranteed the movie will come in on time and under budget) so I imagine this will be ready for release in 2016—during awards season, no doubt. Hanks most recently wrappedThe Circlewith directorJames Ponsoldtand will next be seen onscreen later this month inSteven Spielberg’s spy thrillerBridge of Spies.
