The first trailer for the much-anticipated movie "American Sniper" just went online. Bradley Cooper stars as Chris Kyle, a real life NAVY seal who has the record of highest number of sniper kills for any American. Chris Kyle was apparently killed last year by a fellow veteran with PTSD in a firing range.

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"American Sniper", directed by Clint Eastwood, is based on Chris Kyle's own written autobiography, which is a best seller back in 2012.

The trailer shows Bradley Cooper lying down atop a building armed with his sniper rifle. The set looks like a Middle-Eastern war torn area. American soldiers and tanks are seen occupying the city.

Cooper, looking through his sniper scope, spots a middle aged man and then he switches his view to a woman with a young boy exiting a building. Cooper suddenly realizes and sees that the woman has a grenade which then she hands to the young boy. The soldier, Cooper, is then torn between shooting the child or not.

For a more authentic likeness to his role, Bradley Cooper gained some pounds and muscle. He was photographed showing off his new buff body in a short shorts during filming.

Clint Eastwood took on the direction of the movie after Steven Spielberg left due to budgetary issues. Bradley Cooper will also produce the movie.

"American Sniper" will debut on a limited release in the U.S. on Christmas day so it can enter the 2015 Oscars, which will be on February 2015. It will be shown across North American cinemas and the UK on January 16, 2015.

TagsAmerican Sniper, Chris Kyle, Trailer, clint eastwood