The Kennedy/Marshall Co. and Flashlight Films have optioned film rights to pilot Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger's memoir recounting how he safely landed U.S. Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River.

According to Variety, Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger penned "Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters" with Jeffrey Zaslow.

Flashlight is financing development of the project, which now goes out to writers. No studio is yet attached.

Sullenberger and his wife Lorrie will serve as consultants on the film, which could be a theatrical feature or a television movie.

It's been nearly a year since William Morrow published "Highest Duty." Other parties had approached Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, but he was leery about optioning the rights. That changed when he met Harrison Ford at an aviation event. Harrison Ford, who isn't attached to the project, is a licensed pilot.

Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, a pilot for more than four decades, was catapulted to fame after birds flew into the engines of Flight 1549 on Jan. 15, 2009, crippling the jet. He landed the plane safely on the Hudson, saving the lives of all 155 passengers on board. The event was captured by cameras and broadcast around the world.

No production date has been set.