Sully Lands Movie Deal

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The Hero of the Hudson has landed a Hollywood deal. Variety is reporting that heavyweight film development firms Flashlight Films and Kennedy/Marshall Co. have reached a deal with former U.S. Airways Capt. Chesley Sullenberger for the rights to the film about his involvement in the successful ditching of an A320 in the Hudson River in January of 2009. There were no fatalities and only a few injuries among the 155 people on board. The movie will be an adaptation of Sullenberger’s book Highest Duty: My Search For What Really Matters. The project is now with writers and it hasn’t been decided whether it will be a TV movie or theater release. Nor has there been a decision on who will play Sullenberger, but the genesis of the current deal may offer some clues.

Variety says Sullenberger had received several offers for movie rights but was nervous of optioning them. He met Harrison Ford at an aviation event and asked the veteran actor and longtime pilot’s advice. Ford recommended he contact Kennedy/Marshall, who were the producers of the Indiana Jones movies. According to Variety, Ford is “not attached” to the project. Whoever ends up filling Sully’s left seat can expect to get a lesson in airline flying. Sullenberger and his wife Lorrie will act as consultants on the film.

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