Philippe Petit likes to leave fate to the wind. Now a local, this French death-defier committed the “artistic crime of the century” in 1974 when he graced the skies between the Twin Towers in New York City supported only by a wire. Sensational media and public reaction cemented this feat into the history books, as Petit is the only man who will ever execute that tight-rope walk.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt does his best French accent and madcap act in his portrayal of Petit in “The Walk,” the second feature length biography film based on his undertakings. “The Walk” is directed by Robert Zemeckis, of “Back to the Future” and “Forest Gump” renown. Between astonishing panorama's of New York City and gut-wrenching skyscraper to ground camera falls, Gordon-Levitt illustrates Petit's precarious preparations for his walk amid numerous personal failures and triumphs. Supported only by his close-knit friends and a trusted advisor, Papa Rudy (Ben Kingsley), Petit went out on a limb for the perspective of a lifetime. “The Walk” gives viewers a realistic glimpse of Petit's view from between the tops of the Towers and will debut in theaters on October 2, 2015. Check out the trailer below.