It’s been nearly a decade since actor-turned-director Mel Gibson released his fourth directorial feature, the Mayan period epic Apocalypto. Now, Deadline brings word that Gibson is once again eyeing the director’s chair, this time on Hacksaw Ridge (formerly known as The CO), the true story of Corporal Demond Doss, the first conscientious objector to receive the US congressional Medal of Honor. The outlet also report that The Amazing Spider-Man star Andrew Garfield is in talks to play Doss.
Doss was drafted into World War II at age 23. Raised a Seventh-day Adventist, he refused to kill or carry a weapon and, as such, became stationed as a medic. President Harry S. Truman presented Doss with his commendation on November 1, 1945, citing numerous acts of bravery and sacrifice performed by Doss in the line of duty.
Hacksaw Ridge is scripted by Robert Schenkkan and Randall Wallace, the latter of whom worked with Gibson on Braveheart. The center of the story is likely to focus on 1945’s three-month military assault Operation Iceburg, also known as the Battle of Okinawa. “Hacksaw Ridge” was the name given the location of a particularly brutal two-week confrontation wherein United States troops faced off against Japanese soldiers on the rocky cliffs of Okinawa.
Garfield, who starred earlier this year in Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2, can next be seen in Ramin Bahrani’s 99 Homes before headlining Martin Scorsese’s 17th century drama Silence opposite Liam Neeson and Ken Watanabe.
Gibson, meanwhile, appeared this year in director Patrick Hughes’ franchise action ensemble sequel The Expendables 3 and can next be seen in Jean-Francois Richet’s crime thriller Blood Father.
Terry Benedict, Bill Mechani, Steve Longi and David Permut are all attached to produce Hacksaw Ridge.
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