Steven Spielberg will direct 'American Sniper' starring Bradley Cooper

When Steven Spielberg put his adaptation of Robopocalypse on hold, it was with the expectation that he would work on the script then get back to it after awhile. But that's looking to be a ways off in the distance, as he's signed up to direct American Sniper, making it the next project on his slate.

Starring Bradley Cooper, who picked up the rights and will serve as a producer, the film is based on the autobiography by the late Chris Kyle, the most proficient sniper in American military history, scoring more kills over his ten-year career than anyone. He was so effective that Iraqi terrorists placed a sizable bounty on his head. It's unclear if the script by Jason Dean Hall (Spread) will reflect Kyle's recent death, as he was killed at a gun range by a fellow veteran he was trying to help deal with his PTSD.

Cooper became the latest name to drop out of western Jane Got a Gun, and is still wrapping up American Hustle for David O. Russell. But clearly, American Sniper is a film he holds very dear, and he's probably ecstatic over having the opportunity to work with Spielberg on it. Production is slated to begin early next year.