According to Deadline, BABY DRIVER star Ansel Elgort has signed on to play John F. Kennedy in MAYDAY 109, a drama based on Kennedy’s service during the second World War. The upcoming feature will focus on Kennedy's time as the commander of Patrol Torpedo boat 109 in the South Pacific when, on the evening of August 2, 1943, PT 109 was rammed by the Japanese destroyer Amagin and two crewmen were killed.
Presumed dead by the allies, John F. Kennedy led the remaining survivors on a four hour-long swim to a deserted island where they had to hide from passing Japanese barges. As the small island contained no food or water, Kennedy swam to several other islands in a search for food, water, and help. After locating coconut trees and drinkable water on Olasana Island, Kennedy and his crew survived there for close to a week before they were finally located by rescuers.
In a statement, producer Basil Iwanyk said:
We could not be more excited about Ansel coming aboard. Not only is he a tremendous actor, he embodies the charisma, athleticism and looks of a young JFK. We love that this is not a biopic nor a film about politics. This is simply a riveting and unbelievable tale that very few people know – about a young man who was a hero long before becoming the iconic 35th President of the United States. With Ansel, we’ve found our perfect JFK.
The search is on for a director who will helm the script by Samuel Franco & Evan Kilgore. Ansel Elgort will next be seen in Edgar Wright's BABY DRIVER, which finally hits theaters tomorrow! Make sure to check out a review from our own Chris Bumbray.