The first American Sniper images for director Clint Eastwood’s upcoming drama have been released online. The film stars Bradley Cooper as U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, who served four tours in Iraq and quickly became the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. His reputation crossed enemy lines, making him a prime target for the insurgency, and when he returned home to his wife and kids, he struggled to leave the war behind. These images give us our first look at a transformed Cooper, who put on 40 pounds to portray Kyle. Steven Spielberg was originally set to direct the film before bowing out, and it would've marked interesting territory for the filmmaker. Regardless, Cooper (who is also the film's producer) has been incredibly passionate about telling Kyle's story, even acquiring the rights to his autobiography before his death, and he tells USA Today that the film is a "character study" of a man who took an honorary discharge in order to come home and put together his family life. We'll get our first good look at the drama when the trailer debuts tomorrow.
Hit the jump to check out the first American Sniper images, and check back tomorrow to watch the trailer. The film also stars Sienna Miller, Jake McDorman, Luke Grimes, Navid Negahban, and Keir O’Donnell. American Sniper opens in limited release on December 25th.
Images via USA Today.
Here’s the official synopsis for American Sniper:
From director Clint Eastwood comes “American Sniper,” starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. But there was much more to him than his skill as a sharpshooter. U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and, as stories of his courageous exploits spread, he earns the nickname “Legend.” However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. He is also facing a different kind of battle on the home front: striving to be a good husband and father from halfway around the world. Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, personifying the SEAL creed to “leave no man behind.” But upon returning to his wife, Taya Renae Kyle (Sienna Miller), and kids, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.