It’s official: Ben Stiller will direct his first feature film since 2016’s “Zoolander 2.” THR reports that Stiller will helm and star in “Airman” opposite Jeremy Allen White. The picture is undoubtedly the project Stiller touted to trades a couple of weeks ago as the reason he wouldn’t direct any episodes of “Severance” Season 3 for Apple TV+.
Based on the nonfiction book “The Lost Airman: A True Story Of Escape From Nazi-Occupied France,” the film will tell the true story of Arthur Meyerowitz, an American turret-gunner whose B-24 bomber was shot down over France in 1943. In hiding, Meyerowitz befriended Marcel Talliander, the founder of the French resistance group Reseau Morhange, and sheltered the American from the Gestapo through his secret network before he escaped to Spain and eventual freedom.
“History Of Sound” scribe Ben Shattuck adapts Seth Meyerowitz‘s book for the project, and also produces “Airman” via his Red Hour Films banner. Other producers on board right now include John Lesher via Le Grisbi Productions and P.J. van Sandwijk through Storyteller Productions. Jake Gyllenhaal is also in the mix, and will produce via his Nine Stories banner. What’s more, A24 is in talks to land the package, a move that would fall in line with the studio’s planned transition to back more conventional prestige pictures.
“Airman” feels like a comeback moment for Stiller, who’s avoided making a movie since “Zoolander 2” flopped nearly a decade ago. It’s likely the success of “Severance” that has him poised to return to the feature filmmaking. The Apple TV+ series is one of streamer’s most acclaimed shows, with it second season going to the Emmys next month with 27 nominations, more than any other nominated program this year. Still serves as executive producer on “Severance,” and has directed 11 of its 19 episodes. Other TV work since “Zoolander 2” for Stiller includes “Escape From Dannemora,” a miniseries that notched him a DGA award and an Emmy nod.
As for White, “Airman” continues the actor’s transition to one of Hollywood’s newest leading men. “The Bear” star will also be at the Emmys next month, in line to win his third consecutive award for the FX series. But he’s also on the Fall festival circuit right now to promote “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,” which may end up being White’s Hollywood breakout role. Other upcoming roles for White include “The Mandolarian & Grogu,” in theaters next May, and “Enemies,” a crime thriller over at A24.
If all the deals for “Airman” land safely, expect Stiller to start shooting the film in early 2027, with eyes fixed on a potential awards season run later that year.
