Michael Bay Directing New Movie About Rescue Mission In Iran

Michael Bay has found one of those three movies “floating around” in his brain.

The Transformers and 13 Hours director is teaming with Universal Pictures for a new true-story war film about what Deadline describes as the largest rescue mission in American history, centered on the effort to save two downed U.S. pilots behind enemy lines in Iran.

Bay previously teased on Instagram that “2026 approaches” and that he had “3 films” floating around his brain.

Rumors have also claimed Bay could return to Paramount for another Transformers movie, possibly with Shia LaBeouf back in the mix.

For now, his next major directing project appears to be this Universal rescue movie.

Michael Bay Developing Iran Rescue Movie

According to Deadline, Bay is developing a feature film based on the rescue of two U.S. airmen after their F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down during Operation Epic Fury.

The story follows the massive rescue operation launched in early April in Iran’s Zagros Mountains after the aircraft went down behind enemy lines. The mission successfully recovered both the pilot and the weapons system officer from hostile forces.

The movie will be based on an upcoming book by Mitchell Zuckoff, which HarperCollins is set to publish in 2027.

Zuckoff previously wrote 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi, the book that inspired Bay’s 2016 war film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.

Bay Reunites With 13 Hours Producers

The new movie reunites Bay with producers Scott Gardenhour and Erwin Stoff, who also worked with him on 13 Hours.

Bay, Stoff, and Gardenhour will produce the film.

Universal makes sense for the project, as Bay most recently directed Ambulance for the studio and has a production deal there.

Bay has spent much of his career working with military and law enforcement support on films such as The Rock, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, Transformers, and 13 Hours. Deadline notes that military leadership provided major logistical support, equipment, and personnel on several of those movies.

Michael Bay Says The Movie Celebrates The Military

Bay told Deadline the movie is about the service members who answered the call during the high-stakes rescue.

“I’ve had an amazing partnership over my 30-year career working with the Department of War and amazing U.S. military members,” Bay said. “In my film 13 Hours, no rescue force answered the call for help. This film is about everyone who answered the call in one of the most complex, intricate and high-stakes operations in recent history. It celebrates the true heroism and unwavering dedication of our service members.”