Clint Eastwood stepped in to direct "American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History" after Steven Spielberg stepped out, and after last week's announcement that the movie will be released on Christmas, it's starting to generate major Oscar buzz.
Not many had expected "American Sniper" to be released so soon, but now that it is, the movie qualifies for the upcoming awards season — including the all-important Oscars.
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The movie's star, Bradley Cooper, will now have a shot at being nominated for the prestigious award three years in a row, which can only be said of nine other male actors.
The most recent to complete the feat was Russell Crowe in 2001.
Eastwood, 82, won Best Director at the Academy Awards for 1992's "Unforgiven" as well as boxing film "Million Dollar Baby" in 2004. "American Sniper" will likely be his shot at the Best Director hat-trick.
The movie itself is based on the eponymous autobiography of Chris Kyle, the Iraq War veteran with a record 160 confirmed kills, the most in U.S. military history.
"American Sniper" will have plenty of holiday competition at the box office, however, debuting alongside Tim Burton-directed "Big Eyes," "Unbroken" starring Angelina Jolie, "Into the Woods," and "Hot Tub Time Machine 2."
Moreover, "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb" featuring the late Robin Williams and the "Annie" reboot will be released just days before the Dec. 25 crop.
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