Actor of the moment Joseph Gordon-Levitt has announced his second new project this month with news arriving today that he is set to play French high-wire artist Philippe Petit in the narrative of his attempt to cross the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. Previously titled TO REACH THE CLOUDS the project will focus on the amazing feat Petit achieved when, on the morning on August 7th 1974, he spent 45 minutes walking, kneeling and dancing 1350 feet above the ground between two of the most iconic buildings in US history.
If the story sounds a little familiar it’s because director Robert Zemeckis also made the 2008 documentary of the Petit’s story; the critically acclaimed MAN ON WIRE which won a whole host of awards including the Sundance Audience and Grand Jury awards, the BAFTA for Best British Film and the Oscar for Best Documentary.
Zemeckis has directed a pile of great movies including ROMANCING THE STONE, BACK TO THE FUTURE (and its’ sequels) and FOREST GUMP as well as 2012’s drama thriller FLIGHT in which he showed his capabilities of directing tense and action-packed movies. He’s also co-written the script for TO WALK THE CLOUDS alongside first time writer Christopher Browne, basing it on Petit’s memoirs.
No other details regarding additional casting has been announced for the drama which is due to start filming in May and is believed to be aiming to be a 3D extravaganza.
Source: Deadline
