The cast for screenwriter Mark Boal and director Kathryn Bigelow’s film about Navy SEAL Team Six’s operation that lead to the death of Osama Bin Laden has been shaping up as the film’s production nears. However, criticism from politicians continue and a Pentagon investigation into how Boal and Bigelow got their information begins.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warrior’s Joel Edgerton, The Help’s Jessica Chastain, Edgar Ramirez of Carlos, Green Lantern’s Mark Strong, Chris Pratt and Jason Clarke are all currently in negotiations to star in the film, which is still untitled. Sony’s Columbia Pictures has secured distribution for the film, while the producers are going to try to begin production next month. It is scheduled to hit theaters on Dec. 19.
Meanwhile, New York Representative Peter King has been criticizing the project, believing that confidential information had been given to Boal by the White House. King believed that the project was meant to paint President Obama in a favorable light, citing the fact that Michael Lynton, the Sony Pictures chief executive, has been a major supporter for Obama, according to The New York Times. He also revealed Thursday that the Pentagon began an investigation to figure out if Boal and others involved in the film’s production were given the access to the confidential information.
The Associated Press reports that King believes that leaked information from the raid has forced the Pakistani government to arrest Pakistanis believed to have assisted the US in the raid. He believes that if the Pentagon and CIA continue to assist in the making of the film, it "is bound to increase such leaks, and undermine these organizations' hard-won reputations as `quiet professionals."'
CIA spokesman Preston Golson defended the agency’s relationship with filmmakers to the Times, noting that in the past the CIA has helped to ensure that films provide “an accurate portrayal of the men and women of the C.I.A., their vital mission and the commitment to public service that defines them.” Golson added that they do make sure that “national security equities” are protected.
The AP reports that in August, White House press secretary Jay Carney called the reports that the administration had given Boal confidential information false.