News

From director Clint Eastwood comes American Sniper, arriving onto Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD on May 19 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, A Mad Chance Production, A 22nd & Indiana Production. American Sniper stars Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, whose skills as a sniper made him a hero on the battlefield. But there was much more to him than his skill as a sharpshooter.

A two-time Oscar nominee for his work in Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle, Cooper stars alongside Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes, Jake McDorman, Cory Hardrict, Kevin Lacz, Navid Negahban and Keir O'Donnell. Oscar-winning filmmaker Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby, Unforgiven) directed American Sniper from a screenplay written by Jason Hall, based on the book by Chris Kyle, with Scott McEwen and James Defelice. The autobiography was a runaway bestseller, spending 18 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, 13 of those at number one.

Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ American Sniper has surpassed two more major milestones, emerging as the top-grossing domestic release of 2014. The film has also surpassed half a billion dollars worldwide, and still climbing.

To date, the film has grossed an estimated $337.2 million at the domestic box office, and still counting, making it the highest-grossing film in director Clint Eastwood’s long and illustrious career. Among its many other records, American Sniper is also the number one war movie of all time and the top-grossing film in the career of Bradley Cooper, who earned his third consecutive Oscar nomination, for his portrayal of the film’s title character, Chris Kyle.

In addition to its domestic success, American Sniper is drawing large numbers of moviegoers overseas, where it is currently in release in 57 markets. The film, to date, has earned an estimated $163 million at the international box office, for an...

As American Sniper keeps the concept of sharpshooters and their political/emotional ramifications in the spotlight, Sony is looking to get in on the action. The studio has snapped up a deal for Non-Stop’s Jaume Collet-Serra to direct a Sheldon Turner script based on a series of novels called Sniper Elite.And the American Sniper connections are deep on this one, since the books were written by Scott McEwan, who co-wrote Chris Kyle’s original tome with Jim DeFelice.Turner will fashion a story that finds a team of elite former Special Forces officers led by a Navy Seal sniper acting under the orders of the Pentagon to track down a nuclear suitcase and the madman who plans to use it within the Us. It’s the second of three books written by McEwen with Thomas Koloniar, all featuring the sniper character Gil Shannon. So there will likely less...

Exclusive: In a last bit of business before Oscar weekend, Sony Pictures is close to closing a preemptive package that will have Sheldon Turner adapting and Jaume Collet-Serra directing a drama based on Sniper Elite, a series of novels written by Scott McEwen, who with Chris Kyle and Jim DeFelice wrote the bestseller American Sniper. This was sold in a pitch heard by Sony’s Michael De Luca and Ange Giannetti, who’ll steer the project. It’s a high-six against seven-figure…...

Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel" won the Original Screenplay honor at the recently concluded Writers Guild Awards while Morten Tyldum's "The Imitation Game" took home the Adapted Screenplay trophy. "The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swarts" written by Brian Knappenberger won Documentary Screenplay award. The film is not nominated for an Academy award.

In TV land, HBO's "True Detective" won the Drama Series award and FX's "Louie" received the Comedy Series trophy.

Here's the complete list of winners (highlighted) and nominees of the 2015 Writers Guild Awards:

Feature Film

Original Screenplay

Boyhood, Written by Richard Linklater; IFC Films

Foxcatcher, Written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman; Sony Pictures Classics

The Grand Budapest Hotel, Screenplay by Wes Anderson; Story by Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness; Fox Searchlight Winner

Nightcrawler, Written by Dan Gilroy; Open Road Films

Whiplash, Written by Damien Chazelle; Sony Pictures Classics

Adapted Screenplay

American Sniper,...

© 2015 Universal Studios and Focus Features. All Rights Reserved.

More like 50 Shades of Green. The phenomenon Fifty Shades Of Grey became the motion-picture event for Valentine’s Day with an estimated $81 million at the holiday weekend box office and earned $239.7 million around the globe this weekend

Opening in 59 markets, the film brought in a massive $158 million overseas, ranks fifth all-time among R-rated movies and is the biggest debut ever for a female director.

The film adaptation that had been the subject of widespread speculation and boundless curiosity, whose first trailer became YouTube’s most-watched movie trailer last year, is on the big screen playing at 3,646 locations.

The movie stars Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Luke Grimes, Rita Ora and Marcia Gay-Harden.

Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, the erotic love story from series creator E L James took audiences inside a rich and mysterious world that explores the complexities of male-female dynamics.

Read Michael Haffner’s review Here.

By Anjelica Oswald

Managing Editor

Only one of this year’s adapted screenplay nominees isn’t adapted from a book, and that’s Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash, which is adapted from his short film of the same name that took home the jury prize for short film from the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. The other four adaptations all come from books, three non-fiction and one fiction.

American Sniper is based on Chris Kyle’s (portrayed in the film by Bradley Cooper) autobiography of the same name, which he wrote with Scott McEwan and Jim DeFelice.

The Imitation Game is adapted from Alan Turing: The Enigma, written by Andrew Hodges, a mathematician and author. Turing is played by Benedict Cumberbatch in the film.

Adapted from Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen Hawking by Jane Hawking, The Theory of Everything explores Stephen Hawking’s relationship with his ex-wife. The couple is played...

Surpassing all targets, Warner Bros. Pictures' and Village Roadshow Pictures' multiple Oscar-nominated drama American Sniper smashed virtually every available record as it opened nationwide on the heels of its already record-breaking limited release. Easily topping the box office, the film took in an estimated $105.3 million for the four-day holiday weekend and has grossed $108.7 million to date and counting. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, Sue Kroll, President of Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, and Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

The film's spectacular opening marks an all-time high over the course of director Clint Eastwood's illustrious career. Among its many other milestones, American Sniper also broke records for a January weekend opening, including both three- and four-day weekends; the highest single day ever in January; the best four-day weekend for an R-rated film; and the biggest opening...

Surpassing all targets, Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ multiple Oscar-nominated drama American Sniper smashed virtually every available record as it opened nationwide on the heels of its already record-breaking limited release. Easily topping the box office, the film took in an estimated $105.3 million for the four-day holiday weekend and has grossed $108.7 million to date and counting.

The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, Sue Kroll, President of Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, and Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures

The film’s spectacular opening marks an all-time high over the course of director Clint Eastwood’s illustrious career. Among its many other milestones, American Sniper also broke records for a January weekend opening, including both three- and four-day weekends; the highest single day ever in January; the best four-day weekend for an R-rated film; and the biggest opening...

Clint Eastwood’s remarkable film about the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history, American Sniper, broke all box office records this weekend with an estimated $90 million. Since it’s initial release on December 25, 2014, the R-rated drama’s total stands at $93.6 million domestically – $119 million globally to date. Made for $60 million, Bradley Cooper heads the cast, which also includes Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes, Jake McDorman, Cory Hardrict, Kevin Lacz, Navid Negahban and Keir O’Donnell.

The film is looking to add about $15 million Monday, raising its total since its limited Christmas Day release to $108.6 million in the U.S.

The screenplay, written by Jason Hall, is based on the book by Chris Kyle, with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice. The autobiography was a runaway bestseller, spending 18 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, 13 of those at number one.

American Sniper received 6 Academy Award nominations last week for Best Picture,...

Taya Kyle reveals how American Sniper "brought her husband back to life" and why she trusted Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper. Subscribe now to get instant access to the real story behind Chris Kyle, in this issue of People.Taya Kyle misses the way her husband, Navy Seal Chris Kyle, would hold her close or reach for her hand and make her laugh as they were walking in the Texas countryside. "I was madly in love with him and still am," Taya tells People in this week's issue. American Sniper, in which Bradley Cooper plays Chris Kyle, tells the story...

Although the book paints a better picture of Chris Kyle as a man, this is one RPG of a war story.Clint Eastwood’s latest directorial effort is an entertaining combination of war movie and biopic. The book by the subject, Chris Kyle (co-written with Scott McEwen and James Defelice), contains a much better description of his life. The film is a much better war story. For those who are more interested in the life and times of a war hero, read the book. For those who want a rambunctious, no holds barred war flick, see the movie. For the best results, […]...

Spouting off to an empty chair at the 2012 Republican National Convention, Clint Eastwood looked as if he were slipping into doddering dementia, but he’s shrewder and more focused than ever in his Iraq War picture American Sniper. It’s a cracker­jack piece of filmmaking, a declaration that he’s not yet ready to be classified as an Old Master, that he can out-Bigelow Kathryn Bigelow. Morally, though, he has regressed from the heights of Letters From Iwo Jima (2006). In more ways than one, the Iraq occupation is seen through the sight of a high-powered rifle. The movie is scandalously blinkered. Its springboard is the tragically ­murdered Chris Kyle’s best-selling memoir (written with Jim DeFelice), which chronicled his tours in Iraq as a Navy Seal and his acquisition — thanks to an unprecedented number of sniper kills — of the sobriquet “the Legend.” I’m not going to fault Kyle...

Director Clint Eastwood discusses his latest film, American Sniper, in this brand new featurette from Warner Bros. Pictures.

This week, the film received award nominations from the American Cinema Editors, Producers Guild, Art Directors Guild, and Writers Guild. It undoubtedly is one of the best films you will see this year.

Eastwood says of his movie, “What we all hope is that it will remind people of the sacrifices of soldiers and their families and make people even more appreciative of those who have given so much in service of their country.”

From director Clint Eastwood comes American Sniper, starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, whose skills as a sniper made him a hero on the battlefield. But there was much more to him than his skill as a sharpshooter.

Navy Seal Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves...

The Writers Guild of America, West (Wgaw) and the Writers Guild of America, East (Wgae) have announced nominations for outstanding achievement in writing for the screen during 2014. Winners will be honored at the 2015 Writers Guild Awards on Saturday, February 14, 2015, at simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York City.

Original Screenplay

Boyhood, Written by Richard Linklater; IFC Films

Foxcatcher, Written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman; Sony Pictures Classics

The Grand Budapest Hotel, Screenplay by Wes Anderson; Story by Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness; Fox Searchlight

Nightcrawler, Written by Dan Gilroy; Open Road Films

Whiplash, Written by Damien Chazelle; Sony Pictures Classics

Adapted Screenplay

American Sniper, Written by Jason Hall; Based on the book by Chris Kyle with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice; Warner Bros.

Gone Girl, Screenplay by Gillian Flynn; Based on her novel; 20th Century Fox

Guardians of the Galaxy, Written by James Gunn and Nicole Perlman; Based...

Earlier today, the final guild precursor was revealed, as the Writers Guild of America (or WGA) announced their nominees. It was basically the final big card left to fall before it’s solely up to Academy voters to make up their minds and send in their ballots (the Directors Guild of America won’t announce until after the Oscar nominations). WGA always rules some big contenders ineligible, and that was again the case this year (as I’ll briefly address below), but of the titles that were cited this year, it was a mix of expected contenders like Boyhood and Gone Girl with slightly more unexpected citations like Guardians of the Galaxy and Nightcrawler. Also, Whiplash was nominated in Original, while it’s now going to be competing in Adapted at the Academy Awards (if it’s nominated), but more on that tomorrow… Before I reveal the full list of nominees,...

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has announced their nominees for their yearly awards and I'm very happy to report that Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" received a nod! Woot woot!

It was one of my favorite movies of 2014 (see my Top 10 here) and I'm glad that its zippy, entertaining, but highly heartfelt script is nominated.

I'm also elated that Dan Gilroy's "Nightcrawler" received a nod! That character-driven piece is all about writing (those soliloquies!) that gave Jake Gyllenhaal a great background to play with and director Gilroy (who also wrote the script) a fantastic material to helm!

Winners of the 2015 Writers Guild Awards will be revealed on Feb. 14th! I wonder who will receive a great Valentine from the WGA? Stay tuned...

Here's a complete list of nominees of the 2015 Writers Guild Awards:

Original Screenplay

"Boyhood," Written by Richard Linklater

"Foxcatcher," Written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman

"The Grand Budapest Hotel,...

People often ask me why I don’t include the Writers Guild of America in the “top guilds” when it comes to discussing awards, but the answer is very simple, with this morning’s nominations being a prime example. Every year, because of their silly and narrow-minded rules, they leave out several contenders for their screenplay awards, and this year is no exception.

Among the nominees, you’ll find most of what was expected, including The Grand Budapest Hotel, Boyhood, and Gone Girl. However, because certain films didn’t follow the WGA’s rules, you won’t find The Theory of Everything, Selma, or, most importantly, Birdman. The only reason I was looking forward to these awards this year was because they would help settle the matter of which original screenplay has the lead going into the Oscars, with Birdman and The Grand Budapest Hotel being practically neck and neck...

It's a big week for awards news now that the season of accolades is in full swing. This week we've already gotten the Producers Guild Awards nominees, and this morning the American Society of Cinematographers announced their nominations for the best cinematography. Now it's the Writers Guild of America (WGA) announcing their nominations for screenwriting. Last year's winners included Her, Captain Phillips and Stories We Tell, and this year there's an eclectic list of nominees including Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel, Damien Chazelle's Whiplash and even Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. No joke. Here are the nominations for the 2015 Writers Guild of America Awards from Deadline: Original Screenplay: Boyhood - Written by Richard Linklater Foxcatcher - Written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman The Grand Budapest Hotel - Written by Wes Anderson Nightcrawler - Written by Dan Gilroy Whiplash - Written by Damien Chazelle Adapted Screenplay:...

James Gunn’s Marvel adaptation is the surprise inclusion in the screenwriting race, while the Writers Guild’s uber-strict eligibility rules exclude The Theory Of Everything, Selma and Birdman. Unbroken fails to make the cut.

The Writers Guild Of America, West (Wgaw) and the Writers Guild Of America, East (Wgae) announced the nominations on Wednesday (January 7) for the 2014 outstanding achievements in writing for the screen.

Winners will be honoured at simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York City at the 2015 Writers Guild Awards on February 14.

Original Screenplay

Boyhood – Richard Linklater;

Foxcatcher – E Max Frye and Dan Futterman;

The Grand Budapest Hotel – Wes Anderson; story by Wes Anderson and Hugo Guinness;

Nightcrawler– Dan Gilroy; and

Whiplash – Damien Chazelle.

Adapted Screenplay

American Sniper – Jason Hall; based on the book by Chris Kyle with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice;

Gone Girl by – Gillian Flynn;

Guardians Of The Galaxy – James Gunn and Nicole Perlman; based on the Marvel comic by [link...

The WGA has announced nominations for outstanding achievement in writing for the screen during 2014 in three categories: original, adapted and documentary screenplays. Among the notables unveiled this morning: Damien Chazelle’s script for Whiplash nominated in the Original Screenplay category, the day after the Oscar Academy was criticized for slotting it in its Adapted Screenplay race. Today’s WGA nom will keep that story alive.

Winners will be honored February 14 at simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York.

Joining Whiplash on the original script list is Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, E Max Frye and Dan Futterman’s Foxcatcher, Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel and Dan Gilroy’s Nightcrawler. On the adapted side are Jason Hall’s American Sniper, Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl, Graham Moore’s The Imitation Game and Nick Hornby’s Wild. They are joined by a rare nom for a tentploe: James Gunn and Nicole Perlman...

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) nominations announcement is always an interesting bend in the Oscar road if only because of the various awards season players that find themselves ineligible. "Selma," "Mr. Turner" and "The Theory of Everything" were among the non-signatory DQs this year, as was "Birdman" — a fact I cop to completely missing somehow when I first wrote about the scripts that would not be competing this year. (*facepalm*) Those gaps are a beautiful thing for fringe players looking for a foothold, however. Another intriguing twist (boy did the writers keep it exciting this year) is the revelation that the Academy has ruled Damien Chazelle's "Whiplash" an adapted screenplay, where the WGA considers it original. So it's nomination in that category with the guild will obviously leave a hole in the Academy's original race. With the day's guild mentions complete, we're left with "The Grand Budapest Hotel...

“The Imitation Game,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “Gone Girl” and “Boyhood” are among the nominees for the Writers Guild of America’s best screenplays of 2014, the WGA announced on Wednesday.

The nominees did not include Ava DuVernay’s “Selma,” which was notably left out of Monday’s Producers Guild nominations – but this time the omission was expected, because the film was not eligible under WGA rules that limit its awards to scripts written by members or produced under the Guild’s Minimum Basic Agreement.

See photos: SAG Awards 2015: The Nominees (Photos)

“Birdman” and “The Theory of Everything,” two more likely Oscar nominees,...

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) have announced nominations for outstanding achievement in writing for the screen during 2014 and there aren't too many surprises, though I must admit and (even though I didn't like the film) slightly admire the decision to nominate Guardians of the Galaxy for Best Adapted Screenplay. Of course, we also have the expected continuation of the Whiplash controversy (read about that here) as it's nominated as an Original Screenplay here, but the Academy has decided it will compete in the Adapted Screenplay category at the Oscars. On top of all that, we must also remember certain screenplays weren't eligible for consideration due to WGA rules, those include Birdman, The Theory of Everything, Selma and Mr. Turner. So, if you're wondering how some scripts got in over others that should help a little in the sorting process. Just below is the complete list of nominees, winners will...

"Boyhood" continues its march toward the Oscars with a nomination from the Writers Guild of America.

The guild announced its nominations for best original screenplay and best adapted screenplay, and predictably, "Boyhood" and "Gone Girl" feature in those categories, respectively.

Joining Richard Linklater in original screenplay competition is Wes Anderson for "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and Damien Chazelle for "Whiplash." Interestingly, "Whiplash" is classified as an adapted screenplay by the Academy Awards.

In the adaptation category, Gillian Flynn faces off against Jason Hall for "American Sniper" and Nick Hornby for "Wild."

Some notable snubs include Oscar frontrunners like "Birdman" and "Selma," which were not eligible for Writers Guild honors. Here is the complete list of nominees:

Original Screenplay

"Boyhood," written by Richard Linklater

"Foxcatcher," written by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman

"The Grand Budapest Hotel," screenplay by Wes Anderson; story by Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness

"Nightcrawler," written by Dan Gilroy

"Whiplash,...

On the heels of a record-breaking Christmas Day opening, Clint Eastwood’s critically acclaimed American Sniper has become the highest-grossing limited release (10 theatres or less) in cinema history, it was announced today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

A riveting portrait of Chris Kyle’s heroism and the struggles he faced on both the battlefield and the homefront, American Sniper earned $1.04 million in its first five days in release, shattering the previous record with an astounding $260,000 per theatre average.

In making the announcement, Fellman stated, “Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper have created a remarkable portrayal of a truly remarkable man. We are proud that ‘American Sniper’ is already resonating so strongly with critics and audiences as we begin our roll out of the film, and we look forward to sharing this story with the rest of the country in the New Year.”

From director Clint Eastwood comes American Sniper,...

For the second consecutive year, Warner Bros. Pictures International has exceeded the coveted $3 billion mark at the international box office. This benchmark comes on the heels of the release of The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies, a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, which surpassed $400 million at the international box office this weekend and is still going strong.

Nine Warner Bros. Pictures films have exceeded $100 million internationally, topped by Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar (with Paramount Pictures), which has taken in an astounding $467 million outside of the U.S. to date, and Godzilla (with Legendary Pictures), which has earned $327 million overseas.

Four titles – Doug Liman’s Edge Of Tomorrow (with Village Roadshow Pictures), Phil Lord & Christopher Miller’s The Lego Movie (also with Village Roadshow Pictures), and Noam Murro and Zack Snyder’s 300: Rise Of An Empire (with Legendary), along with the 2014 spillover grosses from The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug...

Bradley Cooper's new film American Sniper, directed by Clint Eastwood, is both based on the autobiography of the same name by accomplished marksman Chris Kyle (and co-authors Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice) and parts of Kyle's life not included in the book. Screenwriter Jason Hall began scripting the film while Kyle, who was killed at a shooting range in February 2013, was still alive, and before Kyle wrote the book. Hall said he tried to incorporate "the other side" of the book's late subject into the movie — specifically who Kyle was outside of war. Read more Bradley Cooper on

read more...

Warner Bros. Pictures and Clint Eastwood reunite again this year for the drama American Sniper. The studio and Oscar-winning director recently brought to the big screen this summer’s musical Jersey Boys.

Starring Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Jake McDorman, Luke Grimes, Navid Negahban, Keir O’Donnell, the film will be in limited release on December 25.

American Sniper joins the list of other war-themed movies, Fury and Unbroken, as well as the January release of the critically acclaimed Lone Survivor, in 2014. David Ayer’s WW2 Sherman Tank movie will be in theaters on October 17, while director Angelina Jolie’s epic drama on the life of war hero Louis “Louie” Zamperini opens on Christmas Day. All three films will most likely be embraced by the guilds and Academy voters as we head into awards season.

In American Sniper, Bradley Cooper stars as Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history.

Jake McDorman is in talks to join Clint Eastwood's upcoming action project American Sniper. Bradley Cooper, Cory Hardrict and Sienna Miller are also attached.

The project is based on Navy Seal Chris Kyle's memoir, which he co-wrote with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice. The soldier was known as the deadliest American sniper in military history and nicknamed The Devil by enemies and fellow service members. He had 150 confirmed kills between 1999 and 2009.

Bradley Cooper will be portraying Chris Kyle with Sienna Miller playing his wife. Jake McDorman will take on the role of Ryan 'Biggles' Job, who was the expert sniper's comrade during his time in the military. Several real Navy Seals are also expected to co-star in the film, including Kevin 'Dauber' Lacz. The Seal was a close friend of the sniper.

Jake McDorman previously played Evan Chambers on ABC Family's Greek and has a recurring role on Showtime's Shameless.

Clint Eastwood is finally returning to filmmaking after a couple of years' hiatus with the Warner Bros. war movie American Sniper , starring Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller and Cory Hardrict ( Gran Torino and the upcoming Trancendence ), and TheWrap is reporting that the cast may be joined by TV star Jake McDorman from "Greek" and Showtime's "Shameless." The film is based on the memoir of the same name by Navy Seal Chris Kyle (co-written by Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice), who is considered to be the deadliest American sniper in military history, called "The Devil" by his enemies and Navy SEALs alike for his ten years of sniper kills numbering 150 from 1999 to 2009. Cooper is playing Kyle with Miller playing his wife Taya while McDorman is expected to...

Sienna Miller ( Stardust , G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra ) is in talks to play a leading role in director Clint Eastwood's American Sniper , TheWrap reports. The film is based on the memoir of Navy Seal Chris Kyle (written with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice), released in 2012 and officially described as follows: He is the deadliest American sniper ever, called "The Devil" by the enemies he hunted and "The Legend" by his Navy Seal brothers. From 1999 to 2009, U.S. Navy Seal Chris Kyle recorded the most career sniper kills in United States Military history. The Pentagon has officially confirmed more then 150 of Kyle's kills (the previous American record was 109), but it has declined to verify the astonishing total number for this book. Iraqi insurgents...

28 Entertainment has acquired the film rights to the best-selling autobiography "Code Name: Johnny Walker".

The true life account follows the exploits of a Navy SEALs translator in Iraq called upon to aid special forces troops during the insurgency. The book was penned under a pseudonym and co-written with Jim DeFelice.

This one Iraqi risked everything to fight with U.S. troops, in particular the Navy SEALs, becoming one of the only interpreters to be welcomed into their tight-knit fold.

Source: 28 Entertainment...

A feature film about an Iraqi who spent years translating for U.S. Navy SEALs fighting in his country is in the works. 28 Entertainment has optioned the movie rights to the autobiography Code Name: Johnny Walker, written by the translator under the pseudonym Johnny Walker. Jim DeFelice (American Sniper) co-authored the new book, which recently debuted on The New York Times best-seller list. The project will be produced by 28 Entertainment’s Jay Hoffman, Brian A. Hoffman and Brett Harrison (Jay and Brian are father and son). Photos: Mark Wahlberg: 'Lone Survivor' Actor's Road From Movie Star to Mogul

read more...

28 Entertainment announced today their acquisition of the film rights to the New York Times best-selling autobiography Code Name: Johnny Walker, the true life account of a Navy SEALs translator in Iraq called upon to aid special forces troops during the insurgency. Written by the real life hero under the pseudonym "Johnny Walker," the book was co-written by Jim DeFelice (co-author of the New York Times best-seller American Sniper) and was published last week by William Morrow, an imprint of Harper Collins. The project will be produced by 28 Entertainment's Jay Hoffman, Brian A. Hoffman, and Brett Harrison with additional announcements to come shortly. The book recently debuted on the New York Times best-seller list as one of the top sellers on both the nonfiction Hardcover and Ebook lists.

Offering a unique perspective on the Iraq War, the memoir tells the story of one Iraqi who risked everything to fight with U.

28 Entertainment has acquired film rights to the Navy Seals interpreter autobiography Code Name: Johnny Walker.

The interpreter co-wrote the book under the pseudonym Johnny Walker with Jim DeFelice, co-author of American Sniper. William Morrow published it last week.

28 Entertainment’s Jay Hoffman, Brian A Hoffman, and Brett Harrison will produce the story of the Iraqi man’s experiences working within the Seals fold, the Us invasion and the insurgency that followed.

“This is a new and refreshing look at the situation in Iraq, from the Iraqi perspective,” said Brian and Jay Hoffman. “When we heard of Johnny’s story from SEALs who had worked with him on the battlefield, we were immediately inspired and knew we wanted to bring his story to the screen.”...

28 Entertainment announced today they have acquired the film rights to the New York Times best-selling autobiography Code Name: Johnny Walker , the true life account of a Navy SEALs translator in Iraq called upon to aid special forces troops during the insurgency. Written by the real life hero under the pseudonym "Johnny Walker," the book was co-written by Jim DeFelice (co-author of the New York Times New York Times best-seller list as one of the top sellers on both the nonfiction Hardcover and Ebook lists. Offering a unique perspective on the Iraq War, the memoir tells the story of one Iraqi who risked everything to fight with U.S. troops, in particular the Navy SEALs, becoming perhaps the only "terp" (interpreter) to be welcomed into their tight-knit...

Warner Bros. has replaced one titan with another on biopic "American Sniper," centering on a Navy Seal with more than 150 confirmed kills, set to star Bradley Cooper. Steven Spielberg dropped out, and now Clint Eastwood has stepped in to direct. Jason Hall ("Paranoia") penned the script, adapted from the book "American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in Us Military History" by Chris Kyle, Scott McEwan and Jim DeFelice.  Eastwood, whose last big-screen helming venture was 2011's "J. Edgar," is currently in pre-production on musical "Jersey Boys." He will begin "American Sniper" once filming for the former has completed.

On the heels of Steven Spielberg's departure from the project earlier this month , Twitch has learned that Clint Eastwood has now set his sights on Warner Bros.' American Sniper , which still has Bradley Cooper attached to play the lead. The film will be based on the memoir of Navy Seal Chris Kyle (written with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice), released last year and officially described as follows: He is the deadliest American sniper ever, called "The Devil" by the enemies he hunted and "The Legend" by his Navy Seal brothers. From 1999 to 2009, U.S. Navy Seal Chris Kyle recorded the most career sniper kills in United States Military history. The Pentagon has officially confirmed more then 150 of Kyle's kills (the previous American record was 109), but it...

Steven Spielberg has left the upcoming biopic American Sniper which he was in line to direct.

The movie from Warner Bros - starring Bradley Cooper - is still going ahead, but now without Spielberg and his production company DreamWorks.

According to Variety, the Lincoln director may never have officially signed a contract and a deal was still to be struck following negotiations.

The film is an adaptation of American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in Us Military History, by Chris Kyle, Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice, which follows Kyle's development from a Texas rodeo cowboy to a Navy Seal chief with the greatest number of sniper kills in Us military history.

Cooper's production company optioned the rights to the book in 2012, and the project was subsequently fast-tracked after Kyle was shot and killed on February 2 at a shooting range in Erath County, Texas.

Spielberg is now...

Although he announced it as his next feature film in May , Steven Spielberg has decided not to direct the upcoming American Sniper , Deadline reports. Both he and DreamWorks have parted ways with the project, although Warner Bros. remains on board. The film will be based on the memoir of Navy Seal Chris Kyle (written with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice), released last year and officially described as follows: He is the deadliest American sniper ever, called "The Devil" by the enemies he hunted and "The Legend" by his Navy Seal brothers. From 1999 to 2009, U.S. Navy Seal Chris Kyle recorded the most career sniper kills in United States Military history. The Pentagon has officially confirmed more then 150 of Kyle's kills (the previous American record was...

Los Angeles, May 4: Hollywood actor Bradley Cooper will reportedly star in Steven Spielberg's forthcoming film "American Sniper".

The film is based on a book "American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in Us Military History", penned by by Chris Kyle, Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice, reports contactmusic.com.

The book is about Kyle, who was shot and killed at the Texas shooting range in February. The rodeo cowboy became the Navy Seal chie, who had the highest number of sniper kills in the Us military.

He held a record of 160 deadly shots.

Ians...

Having earned a well-deserved Best Actor nod for Silver Linings Playbook, Bradley Cooper’s upcoming slate has been interesting to watch, to say the least. The Hangover Part III hits theatres at the end of the month, and things continue to look good for him. And with filming underway on David O. Russel’s Playbook follow-up, American Hustle, Steven Spielberg has now committed to making American Sniper, the Bradley Cooper-led project, his next movie.

Unfortunately, Cooper’s schedule has forced him to exit one project we were really looking forward to seeing him in, with THR reporting that he has now officially exited Jane Got a Gun, which you might recall has been somewhat troubled with problems in recent months.

Before production began, Michael Fassbender exited – amicably – one of the leading roles, and was then replaced by Jude Law. So far, so good. But when director Lynne Ramsey exited...

Bradley Cooper has signed up for Steven Spielberg's next movie.

The Lincoln director's new project is to be called American Sniper.

The Wrap reports that the script has been written by Jason Hall (Paranoia), while Warner Bros and DreamWorks are co-producing.

The film is an adaptation of American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in Us Military History, by Chris Kyle, Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice, which follows Kyle's development from a Texas rodeo cowboy to a Navy Seal chief with the greatest number of sniper kills in Us military history.

Cooper's production company optioned the rights to the book in 2012, and the project was subsequently fast-tracked after Kyle was shot and killed on February 2 at a shooting range in Erath County, Texas.

Spielberg previously planned for his next film to be Robopocalypse, but that has been put back. Cooper recently followed Jude Law and director...

I keep hoping that Spielberg will push forward with biopic “Gershwin" with Zachary Quinto in the lead role. (Maybe he's waiting for the "Star Trek" star to get older.) But Spielberg has chosen his post-"Lincoln" directing gig, and it's not the postponed "Robapocalypse." He's going to Warner Bros. to do “American Sniper” starring Bradley Cooper. Jason Hall's script, adapted from the book “American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History” by Chris Kyle, Scott McEwan and Jim DeFelice. follows a Navy Seal's career and 150 confirmed kills. Spielberg, Cooper, Andrew Lazar, and Peter Morgan will produce with DreamWorks’ Kristie Macosko Krieger and Adam Somner overseeing at DreamWorks. Cooper’s production company, 22nd & Indiana Pictures, optioned the rights to the book a year ago. “Sniper” is a Warner Bros. and DreamWorks Studios co-production. THR story here.

Steven Spielberg has committed to making the Bradley Cooper vehicle "American Sniper" his next movie. The project, which was written by Jason Hall ("Paranoia"), will be a co-production between Warner Bros. and Dreamworks. Film is based on the bestselling book "American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History" by Chris Kyle, Scott McEwan and Jim DeFelice. Also read: Bradley Cooper Fast-Tracks 'American Sniper' Film On Heels of Vet's Shooting Death Book chronicles Kyle's journey from Texas rodeo cowboy to Navy Seal Chief with the highest number of sniper kills...

Breaking: DreamWorks and Warner Bros will team on Steven Spielberg‘s next film American Sniper, with Bradley Cooper aboard to star in the autobiography of Navy Seal Chris Kyle. Cooper optioned the book himself, along with Andrew Lazar’s Mad Chance, and it has turned out to be quite a coup for the actor. Jason Hall (Paranoia) wrote the script and will executive produce, with Spielberg, Cooper, Lazar, and Peter Morgan producing. Kyle, an expert marksman who spread his love for weapons by teaching others how to shoot, was recently and tragically gunned down along with a pal by a fellow discharged vet they had taken to a Texas shooting range to deal with his post-traumatic stress disorder. The film is based on the book American Sniper: The Autobiography Of The Most Lethal Sniper In U.S. Military History by Kyle, Scott McEwan and Jim DeFelice. The film chronicles...

Steven Spielberg has chosen his next project as a director. The Hollywood Reporter brings word that the Lincoln helmer will take on American Sniper at Warner Bros. with Bradley Cooper already attached to headline. The film will be based on the memoir of Navy Seal Chris Kyle (written with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice), released last year and officially described as follows: He is the deadliest American sniper ever, called "The Devil" by the enemies he hunted and "The Legend" by his Navy Seal brothers. From 1999 to 2009, U.S. Navy Seal Chris Kyle recorded the most career sniper kills in United States Military history. The Pentagon has officially confirmed more then 150 of Kyle's kills (the previous American record was 109), but it has declined to verify...

Bradley Cooper is set to produce and likely star in American Sniper , says a story at The Hollywood Reporter . Set up at Warner Bros., the film is based on the memoir of Navy Seal Chris Kyle (written with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice), released earlier this year and officially described as follows: He is the deadliest American sniper ever, called "The Devil" by the enemies he hunted and "The Legend" by his Navy Seal brothers. From 1999 to 2009, U.S. Navy Seal Chris Kyle recorded the most career sniper kills in United States Military history. The Pentagon has officially confirmed more then 150 of Kyle's kills (the previous American record was 109), but it has declined to verify the astonishing total number for this book. Iraqi insurgents feared Kyle so much...

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

Warner Bros.

A diverse collection of gifted talents fail to live up to their past performances in ''Other People's Money, '' a social satire whose first half is so tenuously organized that it fails to establish the exact relations among the principal characters.

After starting out by relying on star Danny DeVito's trademark broad comic antics, the film tries to get serious, primarily through its main story line about the possible financial trashing of a small-town factory, but also through a love story.

Thanks in part to Gregory Peck's oratorical skills, the former does gather some steam, but the love story never gets beyond sitcom level, and vaporizes.

Cinematographer Haskell Wexler expertly catches the copper-tinged light infusing Philip Rosenberg's expertly recreated industrial background, and director Norman Jewison shifts perspective effectively among the characters and crowd (HR 10/16). -- Henry Sheehan

LOST IN SIBERIA

Spectator International Film

One screenwriter on this picture spent 10 years in a Lubianka-like prison, undeniably accounting for the hellish realism and insider revelations of ''Lost in Siberia, '' about the horrors of Stalin's prison

One screenwriter on this picture spent 10 years in a Lubianka-like prison, undeniably accounting for the hellish realism and insider revelations of ''Lost in Siberia, '' about the horrors of Stalin's prisonsystem.

Set during the early days of the Cold War, this engrossing and entertaining film is the story of Andrei Miller (Anthony Andrews), a British archaeologist who is snagged away from his Middle Eastern dig by the KGB and incarcerated as a ''Western spy.''

It's a gut-turning story of cold sadism and bureaucratic brutality. (The KGB soon learns it has the wrong man, but petty officials refuse to free him.) And it's a story that

It's a gut-turning story of cold sadism and bureaucratic brutality. (The KGB soon learns it has the wrong man, but petty officials refuse to free him.) And it's a story thatconveys with a David Lean-ish sweep the natural horrors of Siberia.03

The film's narrative framework facilitates our understanding of the icy, Kafka-like hell of a Siberian prison, and director Alexander Mitta's visual compositions further imbue the monstrous experience of political imprisonment with a human perspective (10/17). -- Duane Byrge

ANGEL SQUARE

Telefilm Canada

Picture Orson Welles as a tubby tyke spread out on the living room floor listening to ''The Mystic, '' his favorite mystery series, on the family radio.

Then unleash the imagination as the hyper-stimulated kid discovers his own real-life mystery and sets out ''Mystic''-style to uncover the culprits. Now throw in lunar eclipses, Christmas Eve, a dotty aunt, a girl who likes to French-kiss, a dusty thumbprint and, of course, the usual suspects.

That adds up to a two-popcorn-bag matinee, the kind of playful, grand stuff that Steven Spielberg or Robert Zemeckis might concoct but is all too rare in kids' fare today.

Crammed with more colorful ingredients than a Christmas fruit cake, ''Angel Square, '' which screened at the Chicago International Film Festival, scampers along at a devilishly wonderful pace. James Defelice and Anne Wheeler's screenplay is jaunty, kind-hearted and chock-full of surprises and quirks (10/18). -- Duane Byrge

CURLY SUE

Warner Bros.

A sentimental comedy drama from John Hughes, ''Curly Sue'' should evoke enough seasonal good will from audiences to turn into a respectable boxoffice performer.

Hughes' attempts at warmth, however, seem to have thrown his comic timing a little off, and several comedy sequences designed as audience hooks fail to provide hoped-for belly laughs. Also, for a movie that offers itself as a contemporary morality tale, it has an awfully elastic sense of right and wrong where its main characters are concerned, a contradiction that may invite critical brickbats.

The movie is at its best when creating sympathy for the endearing underdog pair of Curly Sue (Alisan Porter) and Bill (James Belushi) as they take on a collection of cold and selfish upper-class types, though interplay between the two is hampered by a reliance on close-ups (10/21).-- Henry Sheehan

Other reviews

Also reviewed last week were the films ''Necessary Love, '' (HR 10/16); ''American Friends'' (10/16); ''ShuRoo'' (10/16); ''The Cry of the Owl'' (10/16); ''The Arc'' (10/17); ''Resident Alien'' (10/18); ''The Restless Conscience'' (10/18); ''Satan'' (10/18); and ''Cool as Ice'' (10/21).

(c) The Hollywood Reporter...