Sylvester Stallonehas found his next directorial effort, signing on to directTough As They Come, while also starring alongsideStar Wars: The Force AwakensstarAdam Driver. The project, which is based on the best-selling memoir of U.S. Army Staff Sgt.Travis Mills, is currently being shopped around to studios by William Morris Endeavor (WME), with preliminary talks taking place at 20th Century Fox, although no deal is in place quite yet. It isn’t clear if there is a screenwriter attached to adapt this book, but with these two stars on board, that may change quickly.
Deadlinereports thatAdam Driverwill playTravis Mills, who was caught in an IED blast during his third tour of duty in Afghanistan. He somehow managed to not only survive the blast, but he became one of only five soldiers to survive quadruple amputation, losing both of his arms and legs.Sylvester Stallonewill star asTravis Mills' father-in-law,Craig Buck, who stood by him ever since he got back from the hospital.
The memoir was published in 2015 by Convergent Books, and it became a New York Times best seller. It’s worth noting that the foreword of the book was written by actorGary Sinise, who played double-amputee Lieutenant Dan in the Best Picture winnerForrest Gump, and has established theGary SiniseFoundation, a non-profit organization that supports U.S veterans. It’s possible thatGary Sinisemay ultimately become involved in this adaptation, due to his connection to the book, but that has not been confirmed at this time.
Retired U.S. Army Staff SergeantTravis Millsof the 82nd Airborne is now a motivational speaker and aninternational advocatefor veterans and amputees. He founded the Travis Mills Foundation, which benefits and assists wounded and injured veterans.Travis Millswas also the subject of the 2013 documentaryTravis: A Soldier’s Story, which won Best Documentary Short at the GI Film Festival. We also have a video from theTough as They Comebook release last year, which sheds more light onTravis Mills' amazing story.
Thisupcoming adaptationwill mark the first time thatSylvester StalloneandAdam Driverwill work together. After reviving his iconic Rocky Balboa character inCreed,Sylvester Stallonelent his voice to the animated comedyRatchet & Clank, and he also signed on for a mystery role in this summer’sGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which hits theaters May 5. He is also expected to return as Barney Ross inThe Expendables 4.Adam Driveris coming off critically acclaimed performances inPatersonandSilence, both of which opened in limited release over the past few weeks. He will also reprise his role as the villainous Kylo Ren inStar Wars: Episode VIII, arriving in theaters December 15.
