LOS ANGELES:
Two of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actors, Anne Hathaway and Adam Driver, are set to collaborate for the first time on the silver screen in the war drama ’Alone at Dawn.’ The film, which will be directed by veteran filmmaker Ron Howard for Amazon MGM, is based on the extraordinary true story of an American Air Force hero and the fight for his recognition.
Alone at Dawn is inspired by the life of Air Force Combat Controller John Chapman (to be played by Driver) and an intelligence officer (Hathaway) who tirelessly advocated for him to receive the Medal of Honor. The project underscores a commitment to depicting real-life heroism and the arduous process of ensuring military valour is properly recognized.
The movie is an adaptation of the 2019 book, Alone at Dawn, co-authored by Dan Schilling and Lori Longfritz, Chapman’s sister.
According to a description from the book’s publisher, Grand Central Publishing, the narrative plunges into a fierce battle fought in the predawn hours of March 4, 2002, on a high peak in eastern Afghanistan. It details how, while outnumbered by Al Qaeda fighters, Chapman and a handful of Navy SEALs struggled to take the summit in a desperate bid to locate a lost teammate.
The description highlights the turning point of the event: “Chapman, leading the charge, was gravely wounded in the initial assault. Believing he was dead, his SEAL leader ordered a retreat. Chapman regained consciousness alone, with the enemy closing in on three sides.”
The story is a powerful account of ultimate sacrifice: “John Chapman’s subsequent display of incredible valour — first saving the lives of his SEAL teammates and then, knowing he was mortally wounded, single-handedly engaging two dozen hardened fighters to save the lives of an incoming rescue squad — posthumously earned him the Medal of Honor.” Chapman is notably the first airman in nearly fifty years to receive the distinction reserved for America’s greatest heroes.
The script adaptation has been handled by writer-producer Michael Russell Gunn, with Erin Cressida Wilson contributing rewrites, and Amy Herzog also providing input. Schilling, a former combat control technician himself, is serving as a military consultant for the film, ensuring an authentic portrayal of the events.
