ARMAGEDDON TIME'S JAMES GRAY TO DIRECT MAYDAY 109

As first reported on Deadline, James Gray has signed on to direct World War II John F. Kennedy thriller Mayday 109, written by Evan Kilgore and writing partner Samuel Franco. MadRiver Pictures' Marc Butan will produce with Anthony Katagas, marking their sixth collaboration with Gray. Jacqueline de Croy will be executive producer under her Dear Gaia Films banner, which partnered on the development with MadRiver.

Kennedy was the commander of a patrol torpedo boat on the prowl for Japanese destroyers in August 1943. After a battle with several Japanese ships, PT 109 was inadvertently rammed by the Japanese destroyer Amagin, and that was the beginning of a harrowing week for the future president. Two died in the explosion, and Kennedy gathered the rest of the men ' some were burned, others had swallowed fuel-soaked seawater, and two others couldn't swim ' and tried to salvage the ship but could not send rescue flares for fear of drawing the enemy.

'It's an honor to be on board this project with the fantastic producing team at MadRiver,' said Gray. 'JFK is a figure that's captivated the attention of the world for decades, as an American president, an ally of the Civil Rights movement and a cultural icon. But this is a unique opportunity to sweep away the myth and explore a side we don't know at all.'