Director Michael Bay is set to helm a feature film based on Operation Epic Fury, the 2026 US military campaign against Iran, with Universal Pictures attached to the project, according to reports. The film will centre on the dramatic rescue of two US Air Force pilots downed over Iranian territory — one of the most closely watched military episodes of the year.

What the Film Covers

In April 2026, a rescue mission was launched to recover two pilots from a downed US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle. The operation unfolded against the backdrop of Operation Epic Fury, a broader military action against Iran that President Donald Trump reportedly authorised beginning in February 2026. Bay's film will dramatise the rescue mission specifically, bringing the story of those two crew members to the screen.

The Creative Team

Bay is collaborating with screenwriter Scott Gardenhour and producer Erwin Stoff — both of whom worked with him on his 2016 military drama '13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi'. Gardenhour is adapting the script from an upcoming book by author Mitchell Zuckoff, which is scheduled for publication by HarperCollins in 2027. Bay and Stoff will serve as producers on the project.

Bay's Track Record with Military Films

Bay has a well-documented history of working closely with the US military to bring authenticity to his productions, a practice that has shaped films ranging from the Transformers franchise to '13 Hours'. That access has allowed him to incorporate real hardware, locations, and operational detail — a hallmark his supporters cite as a key differentiator from conventional action cinema.

Trump's Reaction to the Rescue

Following the rescue operation, President Trump reacted with a post on Truth Social, writing: 'WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND.' Trump added that the officer 'sustained injuries, but he will be just fine,' and noted that 'dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World' were deployed at his direction to retrieve the crew member.

What Comes Next

With Zuckoff's source book not due until 2027, the production timeline remains fluid. The project is in early development at Universal Pictures, and no casting or release date has been announced. Given Bay's established pipeline with the studio and the scale of the underlying event, the film is expected to be a major production once it moves into active pre-production.