Corey Stoll in Talks to Play Buzz Aldrin in Damien Chazelle’s “First Man” (Exclusive)

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The Strain star Corey Stoll is in talks to play Buzz Aldrin in Damien Chazelle’s space drama FIRST MAN, the Tracking Board has exclusively learned.

Ryan Gosling is set to star as Neil Armstrong, while Claire Foy will play his wife. Kyle Chandler is nearing a deal to play original Mercury Seven astronaut Deke Slayton.

Based on the book by James R. Hansen, First Man tells the riveting story of NASA’s mission to land a man on the moon, focusing on Neil Armstrong during the years between 1961 and 1969. The movie will explore the sacrifices and the cost — on Armstrong and on the nation –of one of the most dangerous missions in history.

Aldrin was the second man to ever step on the moon following Armstrong, who took his “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” on July 21, 1969.

Written by Oscar winner Josh Singer (Spotlight), the film will be produced by Temple Hill’s Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen as well as Chazelle and Gosling, who just worked together on La La Land. Isaac Klausner will serve as executive producer.

Universal executive Sara Scott will oversee the project for the studio, which will co-finance the film with DreamWorks. Universal will release First Man on Oct. 12, 2018.

Stoll’s film credits include Marvel’s Ant-Man and Woody Allen’s Cafe Society, as well as Black Mass and Gold. He is also well known for his work on the small screen in shows ranging from Netflix’s House of Cards and HBO’s Girls to FX’s The Strain, on which he plays fan favorite Ephraim Goodweather.

Stoll is represented by UTA, Suskin Management and attorney James S. Adams.

 Jeff Sneider | Editor in Chief