S. Oregon train hero to star as himself in movie

ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) – Oregon’s Alek Skarlatos will star as himself in a film about his heroic tackle of a heavily armed gunman on a Paris-bound train.
 
The Oregon National Guardsman from Roseburg and two friends were traveling in August 2015 when they wrestled the would-be terrorist to the ground and disarmed him.
 
Skarlatos was honored for his courage on both sides of the Atlantic, and his sudden fame earned him a spot on TV’s “Dancing With the Stars.” He finished third.
 
Now Clint Eastwood is making a movie about the incident, and the real-life heroes will portray themselves on the big screen.
 
Skarlatos’ mother Karen Skarlatos tells the Roseburg News-Review (https://is.gd/J6mn1e ) she had been sworn to silence until Variety magazine broke the casting news Tuesday.
 
Skarlatos said her son has never acted, but she’s thrilled for his opportunity.