Clint Eastwood will be making a film based on James R. Hansen's authorized biography of astronaut Neil Armstrong. Variety says Eastwood will not star in the adaptation, but will produce and direct for Warner Bros.
The book, titled 'First Man: A Life of Neil A. Armstrong' traces Armstrong's career from his time as a Korean War fighter pilot through his experiences in the American space program and his historic place as the first person to set foot on the moon.
"Millions of people watched Neil Armstrong step out onto the moon's surface, and millions more have seen those images since the event happened," Eastwood said. "However, Armstrong himself is a very enigmatic person. James Hansen's book examines the life of a private man who shared a profound experience with the entire world; it's a story that I think would make an interesting movie."
Hansen, who has the exclusive rights to Armstrong's story, is expected to complete the book in late 2004.