The directing duo of Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin have gone to grand, dangerous lengths to deliver hair-raising cinematic experiences with the likes of Meru and their Oscar-winning Free Solo. Now, after conquering the documentary form, they look to provide some thrills on the narrative side.

Deadline reports they are attached to a currently untitled Netflix thriller based on Jonas Bonnier’s book The Helicopter Heist and scripted by Steven Knight (Locke, Serenity). Set to be produced by and led by Jake Gyllenhaal, the true story from 2009 follows four men of different nationalities who find themselves in Sweden and plan a $5 million heist with a stolen helicopter.

With a set-up reminiscent of Sorcerer meets a Fast & the Furious film, see the book synopsis below via Amazon ahead of a May release, along with a look at the story of Free Solo.

Sami has a new child to provide for, so after years of petty crime, he’s training as a chef. But when a business deal suddenly goes sideways, Sami is left wondering how he’ll ever provide for his newborn daughter.

Michel and his family fled a bloody civil war in Lebanon, and he grew up in the suburbs of Stockholm surrounded by poverty and criminals. He’s trying to turn over a new leaf, but the past just won’t let him go.

Niklas has traveled the world and made an effort to become the sort of person people talked about. He followed through on his vision…and no good has come of it.

Zoran is a businessman who knows everyone and seals a deal with a handshake. When he was young, the ambitious Yugoslavian had a dream–to get rich, by whatever means necessary.

And Alexandra? She’s the reason that the four men found themselves plotting to rob a Stockholm cash depot in September 2009.

At first, the plan seems foolproof. Every contingency is covered, and the payoff will make them all rich for life. No one would even get hurt. But not everyone is who they seem. Even as the gang’s stolen helicopter is lifting off from the cash depot with $6.5 million inside, questions remain unanswered. What secrets does each man hold?

No more articles