In case it hasn’t been readily apparent, for the past few years, Jake Gyllehaal has been following good material, no matter where it comes from. “Nightcrawler,” “Prisoners,” “Enemy,” “Nocturnal Animals,” “Life” (yep, it’s better than you think) — whether it’s at a major studio or a small indie, he’ll be there, and that goes for streaming services too. Later this month, he brings a wild energy to Netflix‘s “Okja,” and now he’s hopping over to their competitors at Amazon for a new project.
READ MORE: Bong Joon Ho’s ‘Okja’ Is A Gorgeous, Galumphing Big-Screen Triumph [Cannes Review]
Gyllenhaal will star in the WWII film “The Lost Airman.” Based on the book “The Lost Airman: A True Story of Escape from Nazi-Occupied France” by Seth Meyerowitz, the film tells the true story of an American turret-gunner who is shot down over France and gets protection from the French resistance. Here’s the book synopsis:
Bronx-born top turret-gunner Arthur Meyerowitz was one of only two crewmen who escaped death or immediate capture on the ground, when their plane was shot down near Cognac, France, in 1943.
After fleeing the wreck, Arthur knocked on the door of an isolated farmhouse, whose owners hastily took him in. Fortunately, his hosts had a tight connection to the French resistance group Morhange and its founder, Marcel Taillandier, who arranged for Arthur’s transfers among safe houses in southern France, shielding him from the Gestapo.
No word yet on a screenwriter or director, but John Lesher (“End Of Watch,” “Birdman“) is producing, and it’s likely he’ll attract some big league talent to this one. And he’s certainly made a great first step with Gyllenhaal. [THR]