Clint Eastwood Signs on Real-Life Paris Train Attack Heroes For Film

Following up his success with "Sully" and "American Sniper," famed Hollywood actor and filmmaker Clint Eastwood has selected the real-life American heroes from the 2015 Paris train attack to star in his upcoming film, "The 15:17 to Paris."

While Eastwood has typically called on well-known actors like Tom Hanks and Bradley Cooper to fill his leading roles, the "Million Dollar Baby" director decided to mix things up for his latest film. 

Eastwood will retell the story of civilian Anthony Sadler, Oregon National Guardsman Alek Skarlatos and airman Spencer Stone, the three Americans who kept a terrorist from creating mayhem on a train in Europe. His script is reportedly based on the book written by the three men with the help of Jeffrey E. Stern. 

Already in production, the film will begin with the men’s childhoods, eventually leading up to the moment the vacationing trio helped take down Ayoub El-Khazzani, the Moroccan national who authorities say had ties to radical Islam and who tried to launch a killing spree in a train cabin after boarding with an AK-47, pistol and a box cutter. 

Since the readapted script will not involve the heroes until later on in their lives, their roles, while significant, won’t be full-on leads, according to Variety. 

Despite none of the men having any acting experience, with the possible exception of Skarlatos’ appearance on “Dancing With the Stars,” this will be an unprecedented occasion, as most cameos typically offer just a line or two. 

Neither Warner Bros nor Eastwood have commented on what prompted the now real-life heroes to be cast. 

"15:17 to Paris" will also reportedly star Jenna Fischer, Judy Greer and Ray Corasani.