Rescue of American pilots downed behind enemy lines in Iran to hit the big screen, directed by Michael Bay

Director Michael Bay is planning to direct a film based on the rescue of two American airmen who were shot down in Iran during Operation Epic Fury.

According to a report from Deadline, Bay is developing the project with Universal Pictures. The film will be based on an upcoming book by author Mitchell Zuckoff that is scheduled for publication in 2027.

The story centers on two US airmen whose F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down earlier this year after Operation Epic Fury began. Following the aircraft’s downing in April, the US military launched a rescue mission in Iran’s Zagros Mountains, successfully recovering both the pilot and the weapons systems officer.

At the time, reports revealed that the CIA used a tool called the “Ghost Murmur” during the rescue to locate the weapons system office. The tool reportedly detects the electromagnetic signal of a human heartbeat and uses artificial intelligence to isolate that signature to find its location. It marked the first time the tool was used in the field by the CIA.

“It’s like hearing a voice in a stadium, except the stadium is a thousand square miles of desert,” a source told the New York Post. “In the right conditions, if your heart is beating, we will find you.”

Bay will create the film with Scott Gardenhour and Erwin Stoff, all of whom worked on the film “13 Hours: The Secret Solders of Benghazi.”

“I’ve had an amazing partnership over my 30-year career working with the Department of War and amazing U.S. military members. In my film 13 Hours, no rescue force answered the call for help. This film is about everyone who answered the call in one of the most complex, intricate and high-stakes operations in recent history. It celebrates the true heroism and unwavering dedication of our service members,” said Bay.