Fresh off the announcement that he was tackling the life of Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, director Clint Eastwood appears to have already found his leading man.



Deadline reports that Eastwood has tapped Tom Hanks -- an American hero in his own right -- for the high-profile role of the pilot, who safely landed a failing plane in the Hudson River in 2009, saving the lives of all 155 passengers on board. Eastwood is adapting Sullenberger's book, "Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters," for the as-yet-untitled flick, with a screenplay written by Todd Komarnicki.



According to Deadline, Hanks is still hammering out a deal, and Eastwood and studio Warner Bros. are eager to work with the actor. This seems like perfect casting, as Oscar winner Hanks has shown a knack for playing high-profile, real-life heroes in the past (most recently in the title role in "Captain Phillips"), and already possesses the geniality that Sullenberger became known for following his swift maneuvering.



With Hanks on board, this film should easily soar. Stay tuned.







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