Beloved actor Jimmy Stewart is remembered by many as George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life — the man who showed us that even an ordinary life can have extraordinary meaning. But soon, audiences will discover that Stewart’s real-life story was just as powerful as anything he portrayed on screen — a story of faith, courage, and sacrificial service.

Filmmaker Aaron Burns is bringing that story to life in the upcoming biopic Jimmy, which will explore the late actor’s personal journey from small-town roots to Hollywood stardom — and the remarkable moment when he walked away from fame to fight for his country in World War II.

“Jimmy Stewart wasn’t just a movie star — he was a man of conviction and faith,” Burns said. “This film is about the real hero behind the screen.”

A Star With a Soldier’s Heart

Best known for his five Academy Awards and iconic roles in American classics, Stewart made headlines of a different kind in the 1940s when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Already a trained pilot, he eventually became a squadron commander, leading bombing missions over Europe and rising to the rank of brigadier general.

But behind that decision was something deeper — a man grappling with purpose and longing for a more meaningful legacy.

“He said, ‘I want to be more than a Tinseltown hero. I want to serve my country,” Burns shared in an interview. “That heart for service, that sense of calling, came from the faith instilled in him by his father.”

One of the most moving moments in the film depicts a real letter Stewart’s father slipped into his son’s uniform pocket before he shipped out. Inside was Psalm 91, a passage about God’s protection.

“His dad wrote, ‘I’ll be praying for you the whole time you’re away,'” Burns said. “Jimmy kept that note with him on every mission.”

A Role Made in Heaven

When Stewart returned from the war, he wasn’t the same. Battling PTSD and wondering if he could ever return to acting, Hollywood had all but forgotten him. Then, a call came from an old friend — director Frank Capra, who had also served in the war.

“Capra said, ‘Nobody wants me either, Jimmy. But maybe we can do something together,” Burns recalled.

That “something” was It’s a Wonderful Life — a film that would become not only Stewart’s most beloved role but also a source of healing for the actor himself.

“It’s a Wonderful Life became a transformative movie for Jimmy, even as it became a transformative and inspirational movie for all Americans,” Burns said.

A Story For the Next Generation

In Jimmy, actor KJ Apa (Riverdale) will take on the role of Stewart. “As someone from New Zealand, I’ve long admired that generation of American men who stood for patriotism, integrity, and a deep sense of duty,” Apa said. “It’s an honor to tell this story.”

Also joining the cast are Jason Alexander as MGM mogul Louis B. Mayer, Max Casella as director Frank Capra, Sarah Drew as gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, and Jen Lilley as Stewart’s wife, Gloria. Stewart’s daughter, Kelly Stewart-Harcourt, is serving as executive producer.

“My family and I are delighted and excited that KJ Apa has agreed to play my father,” she said. “His enthusiasm for the project will only add to the energy and depth he will bring to the role.”

Burns hopes the film will inspire the next generation with Stewart’s faith and sacrifice.

“I want my kids to know the hero that Jimmy Stewart was,” Burns said. “To see what he went through, the sacrifice he made, and the impact of a father’s prayers — that’s a story worth telling.”

Jimmy is currently in production and expected to hit theaters in 2026.