Bradley Cooper Officially Signs On For ‘Sniper’ Role

Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper documented in American military history, will officially be portrayed in his upcoming biopic by Silver Linings Playbook star Bradley Cooper.

Cooper has been lusting after the role for some time, and according to The Hollywood Reporter, he has officially signed on to play the late American hero in the planned 2014 adaptation about his life an military career. The site also announces that Steven Spielberg has signed on to direct.

Spielberg was reportedly in the running to direct a film adaptation of American Sniper, Kyle’s 2012 autobiography. It is now confirmed that the project will be his follow-up to Lincoln, the 2012 biopic of the 16th president.

Spielberg and Cooper will also produce the film, with Andrew Lazar and his Mad Chance Productions, as well as Peter Morgan. The film’s screenplay was written by Jason Hall, who will executive produce. The film will be titled Sniper, and will not be a Warner Bros./DreamWorks co-production.

The book on which the film is based is titled American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History, and reveals how Kyle became the most prolific sniper in American history, boasting 160 confirmed kills (though the claimed number is higher at 255).

The book has been praised by critics for its honest and frank first-person narrative.

Kyle made headlines earlier this year after being tragically murdered by a fellow Iraq War veteran who suffers from PTSD. Kyle and a friend had taken him to a shooting range as part of their initiative to help other soldiers suffering the war’s emotional toll.

After returning from the war, Kyle started a successful tactical training company and worked with charity groups who assist other returning soldiers.

Do you think that Bradley Cooper will make a good Chris Kyle under Steven Spielberg’s direction?

[Image via: s_bukley, Shutterstock]