First Images of Bradley Cooper as Clint Eastwood's 'American Sniper'

Bradley Cooper has long been drawn to the story the military's greatest sniper, Chris Kyle. He optioned the rights to his book, American Sniper, a couple of years ago and began seeking top notch directors to do the story justice. Steven Spielberg once counted it amongst his wealth of potential projects, but it was Clint Eastwood who ultimately took the job. In the meantime, Kyle was tragically killed while trying to help a troubled soldier at a shooting range. That kind of thing brings a heavy burden to the film, which USA Today has now released the first images of.

Cooper spoke about the added responsibility he felt doing justice to Kyle's life and career....

Cooper: "I had to do right by him and his family, there was really no choice. You're sitting across the dining-room table talking to this person's father and mother. And his children and wife are there. And he's passed away. Knowing that they are putting all of their stories in your hands and the responsibly of that, it's actually unique."

The Texas-born Kyle was America's deadliest sniper, with more than 150 confirmed kills during his Navy SEAL career. He was so deadly that he became known as "The Legend" amongst his peers, and Iraqi insurgents wanted him dead so bad they placed a bounty on his head. American Sniper co-stars Sienna Miller, Cory Hardrict, Kyle Gallner, and Luke Grimes, opening on Christmas Day when it's expected to be a major awards player.