Clint Eastwood's 'American Sniper' Chris Kyle Biopic Due Dec. 25

Clint Eastwood's "American Sniper," the biopic about late Navy SEAL sharpshooter Chris Kyle, has been scheduled to be released by Warner Bros. on Christmas Day so it can qualify for awards season.

The movie stars two-time Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper as Kyle, the Iraq War veteran with a record 160 confirmed kills during the conflict, the most in U.S. military history, according to the Washington Times.

Kyle was one of two men killed while trying to help a fellow U.S. military veteran at a Texas gun range on Feb. 2, 2013, according to WFAA-TV.

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The movie, which also stars Sienna Miller and Luke Grimes, will receive a wide theatrical release in January, according to Variety. To accommodate "American Sniper," Warner Bros. decided to move "Man from Uncle" from its original January date to Aug. 14, 2015, and its "Point Break" remake to July 15, 2015.

"American Sniper" co-star Eric Close told E! News in April that Cooper transformed himself for the role and wanted to make sure the film and his characterization of the U.S. military marksman was worthy of his accomplishments.

"He put on like 40 pounds," Close, told E! News. "He's really been working hard. He looks great. He's really taken on this character…He really takes this story personally and wants to do an honorable job for Chris' memory and for his family."

The combination of Eastwood and Cooper could make a powerful movie awards duo, taking into account their past history. Eastwood has won best picture Oscars for "Million Dollar Baby" in 2005 and "Unforgiven" in 1993. He also captured a best director statue for "Unforgiven" as well.

He also had best picture nominations in two other films – "Letters from Iwo Jima" in 2007 and "Mystic River" in 2004.

Cooper has been nominated for acting Oscars over the past two award seasons. He was nominated for a best supporting actor award this year for his portrayal of FBI agent Richie DiMaso in "American Hustle."

In 2013, he was nominated for best actor Academy Award as a teacher struggling to overcome mental illness in the movie "Silver Linings Playbook."

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