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 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.

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