Michael Bay to direct film about U.S. pilots rescued in Iran during Operation Epic Fury

Director and producer Michael Bay is set to helm a film chronicling the rescue of two American airmen downed behind enemy lines in Iran during Operation Epic Fury, Universal Pictures announced Wednesday.

The film will be based on journalist Mitchell Zuckoff’s forthcoming book about the rescue mission, which HarperCollins will publish in 2027.

In early April 2026, a month after Operation Epic Fury began, the U.S. military launched a successful rescue operation in Iran after an F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down. The extraction recovered both the pilot and the weapons system officer.

In a statement, Mr. Bay said the film would celebrate “the true heroism and unwavering dedication of our service members,” drawing a pointed contrast with his previous military drama.

“In my film ’13 Hours,’ no rescue force answered the call for help,” he said. “This film is about everyone who answered the call.”

Mr. Bay will work with writer Scott Gardenhour and producer Erwin Stoff, both of whom collaborated with him on “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.” Mr. Bay and Mr. Stoff will produce the film, while Mr. Gardenhour adapts the script. The 2016 picture followed members of the Annex Security Team who fought to defend the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya.

President Trump celebrated the outcome on Truth Social, writing that the military “pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History” and that the successful recovery of both crew members without any fatalities during the rescue operation demonstrated “overwhelming air dominance” over Iran.

Mr. Bay has had a long history collaborating with the U.S. military to add realism to films, including the “Transformers” series, “Pearl Harbor” and “13 Hours.” No release date has been announced for the untitled project.

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