As the world watched the dramatic discovery and ensuing rescue of the 12 boys and their soccer coach trapped in a cave in Thailand, one American film maker was already on the scene, and is now adapting it for the big screen.
Michael Scott, the CEO and co-founder of Pure Flix Entertainment, was assisting in rescue efforts at the foothills of the Tham Luang mountain cave systems in Chiang Rai, as he lives in Thailand part-time.
‘The bravery and heroism I’ve witnessed is incredibly inspiring, so, yes, this will be a movie for us,’ Scott told The Hollywood Reporter.
Pure Flix Entertainment, is a faith-based production company behind the God’s Not Dead film franchise, however, he says they will likely release the film under his company’s more mainstream banner, Peak Pinnacle.
‘It’s not necessary to make this a Christian film, just an inspirational one,’ he said, as pictures of the celebrations after the soccer team’s rescue showed the jubilation across Thailand at word of their safe retrieval from the depths of the water-logged cave.
Scott says the story hit home for him, in part because his wife grew up with former Sgt. Saman Kunan, who was working as a volunteer alongside rescuers when he died on July 6.
He says he has already spoken to some of the divers involved in the rescue, and through his contacts in Thailand, he has spoken to some of the boy’s families.
The boys and the coach are hospitalised, with the coach, 25-year-old Ekkapol Ake Chantawong, being the last one to be rescued on Tuesday.
All are expected to remain in the hospital for up to a week as tests are run for various diseases and infections.
The harrowing, and then uplifting ordeal began on June 23 when rising waters trapped the Wild Boars soccer team inside the labyrinths of caves.
READ MORE: Finally, 12 boys, coach out of Thai flooded cave
Source: Daily Mail