I had a chance to interview Scott McEwen, friend of Chris Kyle and co-author of American Sniper the book. Scott has told me that Bradley Cooper and Clint Eastwood have been incredible to work with and gone above and beyond to take care in making this movie and in how they’ve treated the Special Operations community. I’m personally a fan of Clint’s all the way back to the early western movies. This movie looks intense and SOFREP looks forward to providing more insider interviews leading up to the December release. -Brandon

Scott, thanks for the quick notice and interview. Can you tell SOFREP what prompted your initial relationship with Chris and ultimatley led to the original book behind the upcoming American Sniper movie?

I met and got to be buddies with Chris though another buddy of mine that used to be in the Teams as well.  We both had a mutual respect for the .300 Win Mag, Chris’ gun of choice in Iraq, and my favorite gun while growing up hunting big game in Oregon.  I came to know of Chris’ accomplishments, and convinced him that they should be recorded accurately as I felt they were historically important (and amazing). He agreed, the rest is history.

How was it working with Chris on the project/process? 

Great guy, fun to have a beer with, and an amazing American Patriot.  A lot of Coors Light was consumed in the making of American Sniper.

I know there was some issues behind the Director change from Spielberg to Eastwood, how has the change benefitted the movie in your opinion?

I think Clint was the perfect person to do the movie, and was Chris’ and my choice from day one when we took the project to Andrew Lazar.  Spielberg is an Icon for sure; Eastwood is a Legend.  I was elated when Clint agreed to direct the movie

You were onset briefly and worked with Bradley and Clint to get our mutual friend and former sniper student of mine Elliot Miller (hit by an IED in Iraq and severely injured) on set. Can you describe this experience for the readers?