According to reports, Mel Gibson is going to direct the big screen World War II drama Hacksaw Ridge, based on the compelling true story of Private First Class Desmond T. Doss, who became a war hero and won the Congressional Medal of Freedom despite the fact that he refused to carry a weapon. There is also word that Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spider-Man franchise) is in talks to portray Doss.

Ridiculed by his fellow soldiers for the religious beliefs that prevented him from bearing arms or killing, Doss worked as a medic in the Pacific, and circumstances gave him the opportunity to accomplish extraordinary things during the war. Doss’s acts of heroism included saving 75 lives during the Battle of Okinawa. He proved himself extremely brave, helping to evacuate the wounded close to enemy lines and repeatedly putting himself in harm’s way in order to save others.

The project, long in development, has been through many changes over the years, including a switch from Disney to Cross Creek Pictures. This will be the first picture Gibson has directed since Apocalypto, which was released in 2006.

Expected to begin filming next year, Hacksaw Ridge is planned for release in 2016.