Jeremy Allen White, known for his role in The Bear, is set to star in a new World War II survival thriller directed by Ben Stiller. The film, titled Airman, is based on Seth Meyerowitz’s book The Lost Airman: A True Story of Escape from Nazi-Occupied France and has attracted interest from the production company A24.
Details on the Airman Adaptation and Key Participants
According to The Hollywood Reporter, White is in negotiations to play the lead role while Stiller is expected to direct and produce the movie. A24 is pursuing the project to secure production rights. Previously, the Los Angeles Times indicated Stiller’s involvement in a World War II survival film, likely referring to this adaptation.
Ben Stiller has earned acclaim as an actor and director, noted for projects such as Reality Bites, Zoolander, Tropic Thunder, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and more recently, directing episodes of the Apple TV+ series Severance. Jeremy Allen White’s performance as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto on the FX on Hulu series The Bear has earned him two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, with a third nomination in 2024.
Story Background and Production Plans
The source material, published in 2016 by Seth Meyerowitz, recounts the true story of his grandfather, Staff Sergeant Arthur Meyerowitz. During World War II, his B-24 bomber was downed over Nazi-occupied France, where he escaped capture and allied with French resistance leader Marcel Talliander. This narrative of survival and resistance forms the basis of the film’s plot.
Ben Stiller will likely produce the film under his Red Hour Films banner, and Jake Gyllenhaal is also attached to produce through Nine Stories Productions. If all proceeds smoothly, filming for Airman could begin in early 2027.
