John Magaro Volunteers His Time For "The Finest Hours"

John Magaro has joined the true story Coast Guard drama "The Finest Hours" says Tracking Board.

Based on the non-fiction book by Casey Sherman and Michael Tougias, the story chronicles a daring rescue by the Coast Guard of 84 men off Cape Cod in 1952. At the time two oil tankers collided and were torn in half by waves during a fierce blizzard.

Magaro play Ervin Maske, a Coast Guard member who volunteers to join in on the rescue.

Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Josh Stewart Graham McTavish Kyle Gallner Ben Foster and Holliday Grainger also star in the film.

"The Fighter" scribes Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson are writing the adapted script.

Robert Schwentke was originally attached to direct last May, but the script took too long to develop and he left the project deciding to do the Divergent sequel Insurgent. Prior to that reports had Boardwalk Empire ep helmer Tim Van Patten in line to helm this as his first big screen gig.

Craig Gillespie (Million Dollar Arm) is now tipped to direct.

Jim Whitaker and Dorothy Aufiero will produce.

Production starts next week in Massachusetts.