Another Oregonian's work will appear on the silver screen this week with the nationwide release of "American Sniper," starring Bradley Cooper.
The East Oregonian reports that writer Scott McEwen, who grew up in Heppner, co-authored Chris Kyle's autobiography, also titled "American Sniper." After four tours in Iraq and more than 150 kills of Iraqi insurgents, Kyle is considered to be the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history.
McEwen, an attorney and writer, met Kyle, a Navy SEAL, through mutual friends in San Diego. McEwen told the newspaper the he and Kyle bonded over their childhoods in small towns.
"We grew up in the same world, with the same values," said McEwen in an interview with the newspaper. "Even though his was in Texas and mine was in eastern Oregon."
The novel was adapted into a movie by famed director Clint Eastwood to remember Kyle, who was shot and killed in 2013 by a troubled ex-Marine at a Fort Worth, Texas shooting range in 2013.
On the set of #AmericanSniper Thank you for supporting #AmericanSniper In memory of #ChrisKyle #neverforgotten pic.twitter.com/goC7ia0Hvb
This was McEwen's first book, which he wrote along with author Jim DeFelice and Kyle himself. Since then, McEwen has co-written four fictional military-themed books, including his latest, "Target America: SEAL Team Black."
McEwen said he hopes to make it to Oregon for a book signing at Heppner's St. Patrick's Day celebration.
The movie will hit theaters nationwide on Jan. 16.
Copyright 2015 Oregon Public Broadcasting