Warner Bros. has released the first American Sniper trailer for director Clint Eastwood’s upcoming drama. Based on a true story, the film stars Bradley Cooper as U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, who served four tours in Iraq and quickly became the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. His reputation crossed enemy lines, making him a prime target for the insurgency, and when he returned home to his wife and kids, he struggled to leave the war behind. While most of my interest in this film dropped when Eastwood replaced Steven Spielberg as director, I have to admit that this trailer is mighty impressive. It captures the essence of Kyle’s role in the military, the toll it took on him personally, and his family life all within the context of a single clip. Cooper has been passionate about this project for years and is a producer on the film, so maybe his enthusiasm for the material lit a spark in Eastwood for this particular film. And are those primary colors I spot in the aesthetic here?

Hit the jump to watch the first American Sniper trailer and to check out the first poster. The film also stars Sienna Miller, Jake McDorman, Luke Grimes, Navid Negahban, and Keir O’Donnell. American Sniper opens in limited release on December 25th.

Trailer via Warner Bros.

Here’s the official synopsis for American Sniper:

From director Clint Eastwood comes “American Sniper,” starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. But there was much more to him than his skill as a sharpshooter. U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and, as stories of his courageous exploits spread, he earns the nickname “Legend.” However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. He is also facing a different kind of battle on the home front: striving to be a good husband and father from halfway around the world. Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, personifying the SEAL creed to “leave no man behind.” But upon returning to his wife, Taya Renae Kyle (Sienna Miller), and kids, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.