Clint Eastwood casts real-life heroes in The 15:17 to Paris

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Production on Clint Eastwood's next movie gets underway this week, and in a somewhat surprising movie, Eastwood has cast a trio of real-life heroes to play themselves in THE 15:17 TO PARIS. A little under two years ago, aboard a train in France on its way from Amsterdam to Paris, a perpetrator opened fire in a train carriage in what was believed to a terrorist attack. Thankfully, the attempt was thwarted by three young Americans who were traveling through Europe – Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, and Spencer Stone.

According to Variety, the director began a wide-ranging search for actors to fill the role of the three heroes, but despite having a few choices, Warners Bros. and Clint Eastwood decided to have Sadler, Skarlatos, and Stone play themselves. Jenna Fischer, Judy Greer, and Ray Corasani will also star in the film, along with Paul-Mikel Williams, Max Ivutin, Bryce Gheisa, Cole Eichenberger, and William Jennings who will be playing younger versions of Sadler, Skarlatos, and Stone. Although the three real-life heroes are said to have good sized roles in THE 15:17 TO PARIS, the movie is expected to "begin during their childhood and show their friendship leading up to the moment that changed their lives," which means their roles will not be full-on leads. Dorothy Blyskal wrote the script based upon the book of the same name by Sadler, Skarlatos, Stone and Jeffrey E. Stern.

A synopsis of "The 15:17 to Paris: The True Story of a Terrorist, a Train, and Three American Heroes" via Amazon:

On August 21, 2015, Ayoub El-Khazzani boarded train #9364 in Brussels, bound for Paris. There could be no doubt about his mission: he had an AK-47, a pistol, a box cutter, and enough ammunition to obliterate every passenger on board. Slipping into the bathroom in secret, he armed his weapons. Another major ISIS attack was about to begin. Khazzani wasn't expecting Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, and Spencer Stone. Stone was a martial arts enthusiast and airman first class in the US Air Force, Skarlatos was a member of the Oregon National Guard, and all three were fearless. But their decision-to charge the gunman, then overpower him even as he turned first his gun, then his knife, on Stone-depended on a lifetime of loyalty, support, and faith.

Their friendship was forged as they came of age together in California: going to church, playing paintball, teaching each other to swear, and sticking together when they got in trouble at school. Years later, that friendship would give all of them the courage to stand in the path of one of the world's deadliest terrorist organizations. The 15:17 to Paris is an amazing true story of friendship and bravery, of near tragedy averted by three young men who found the heroic unity and strength inside themselves at the moment when they, and 500 other innocent travelers, needed it most.

Which is your favourite Clint Eastwood directed film?