Brad Pitt is being eyed to star in “The Operators” with “Animal Kingdom” director David Michod signed to direct the adaptation of the late Michael Hastings’ best-seller.
The film will chronicle the rise and fall of General Stanley McChrystal, the commanding general of international and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, and will be backed by Plan B, New Regency and RatPac Entertainment. Hastings covered America’s recent military adventures for Rolling Stone and Newsweek and captured McChrystal in moments of shocking candor. In an interview with Hastings, the general and his staff were openly contemptuous of the White House and civilian leaders, and McChrystal’s intemperance ultimately led to his resignation.
Also read: Michael Hastings’ Family Chides Media for Inaccuracies, Guards His Legacy
Pitt will produce the film along with his Plan B partners Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, and the filmmakers promise a beyond-the-scenes look at the military infighting and ego-clashing that derailed a once-promising career.
In addition to his work on the Australian crime drama “Animal Kingdom,” Michod will direct “The Rover,” another look at the felonious crowd that stars Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson. Pitt will next be seen in the World War II drama “Fury.”
As for Hastings, the acclaimed journalist died in a car crash last June. He was 33.