“Fantastic Four” actress Kate Mara will star as another kind of heroine in the upcoming military biopic “Megan Leavey.”

Directed by “Blackfish” helmer Gabriela Cowperthwaite, “Megan Leavey” tells the story of a female Marine who saved lives by searching for bombs with her military combat dog Rex during two tours of duty in Iraq. After she returned home with an injury and a Purple Heart, she waited for five years to adopt Rex, who was eventually scheduled to be euthanized. Leavey ultimately won the fight to be reunited with the 11-year-old German Shepherd.

“This is a side of war that we don’t hear about,” commented Cowperthwaite. “It is unbelievable what these two went through. It is an honor to be
able to tell their story.”

Written by Pamela Gray, the film will begin principal photography this October.

[via Variety]