For a while there it didn’t look like “American Sniper,” based on the autobiography of former SEAL Chris Kyle, would actually happen. The film has been knocked around a bit, but it’s finally gotten made with Eastwood behind the camera and Bradley Cooper in front of it. Kyle is known as the most lethal sniper in American history, and to hear him tell it in his book, those were only his official kills, which had to be confirmed before they could count. According to him, he’s killed more than the official tally. So he’s really, really lethal.

Check out the first trailer for the film below, which opens with Cooper in Iraq with the crosshairs of his sniper rifle on a kid. Yeah, now that’s not provocative at all, Clint ol buddy.

U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and, as stories of his courageous exploits spread, he earns the nickname “Legend.” However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. He is also facing a different kind of battle on the home front: striving to be a good husband and father from halfway around the world.

Starring Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Jake McDorman, Luke Grimes, Navid Negahan, Keir O’Donnell.

Shooting into theaters next year, January 22, 2015.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRbAXWfthtA