Clint Eastwood directs Paris train terror film

Clint Eastwood is 86 years old

Clint Eastwood is to direct a film based on the true story of the passengers who stopped a terror attack on a train to Paris in 2015.

Deadline reports it will be based on a book written by American childhood friends Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos and Spencer Stone.

They overpowered a heavily armed man who had opened fire on the train.

It is the latest in a series of movies Eastwood has made based on real-life people in extraordinary situations.

His last film Sully told the story of pilot Chesley Sullenberger, who landed his damaged plane on the Hudson River.

French honour

Prior to that he made American Sniper about the Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle.

The upcoming film is based on the book The 15:17 To Paris: The True Story Of A Terrorist, A Train, And Three American Heroes and the deal includes the rights to the life stories of the three friends.

Sadler was a serviceman and Skarlatos a member of the Oregon National Guard.

The men were honoured with France's top award, the Legion d'honneur, for averting the attack

Three other men were also honoured for their part in tackling the gunman, including British businessman Chris Norman and Mark Moogalian, who was shot during the attack.

Deadline report Eastwood will begin casting now to start production later this year.