Steven Spielberg to direct Bradley Cooper in American Sniper

Steven Spielberg has selected his next project post-Lincoln, and it's not the previously announced and subsequently delayed Robopocalypse; instead, Spielberg will turn his attention to another biopic, with The Hollywood Reporter revealing that the legendary filmmaker is to direct Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook, The Hangover Part III) in American Sniper.

Based upon the book American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History by Chris Kyle, American Sniper will tell the story of the Texan Navy SEAL who recorded the highest number of sniper kills by an American soldier. The book spent thirteen weeks on top of the New York Times best-seller list, while its author lost his life earlier this year when he was accidentally killed in a shooting range accident.

The script for American Sniper has been penned by Jason Hall (Spread), and Spielberg will produce the film alongside Cooper, Andrew Lazar and Peter Morgan. Filming is expected to get underway early next year, with a release date yet to be announced.