Bradley Cooper's AMERICAN SNIPER Soars at Box Office, Raking in $5.3 Million

Variety reports that Clint Eastwood's AMERICAN SNIPER is soaring at the box office, raking in an impressive $5.3 million from Thursday night showing at U.S. theaters. Yesterday, the Warner Bros release received six Oscar nominations including Best Picture and a nod for Bradley Cooper, currently starring in Broadway's THE ELEPHANT MAN, as Best Actor.

The film had already grossed $3.4 million from its release in only four theaters since Christmas. This weekend it will expand to 3,555 venues, where it is predicted to earn in the $44 million-$48 million range over the four-day Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

About AMERICAN SNIPER:

From director Clint Eastwood comes AMERICAN SNIPER, starring Bradley Cooper asChris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history.

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 spirit of the SEAL creed to "leave no one 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.

A two-time Oscar nominee for his work in "Silver Linings Playbook" and "American Hustle," Cooper heads the cast, which also includes Sienna Miller (HBO's "The Girl"), Jake McDorman, Luke Grimes, Navid Negahban and Keir O'Donnell.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Clint Eastwood ("Million Dollar Baby," "Unforgiven") is directing "American Sniper" from a screenplay written by Jason Hall, based on the book by Chris Kyle, with Scott McEwan and Jim DeFelice. The autobiography was a runaway bestseller, spending 18 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, 13 of those at number one.

The film is being produced by Eastwood, Robert Lorenz, Andrew Lazar, Bradley Cooperand Peter Morgan. Tim Moore, Jason Hall, Sheroum Kim and Bruce Berman are serving as executive producers.

The behind-the-scenes creative team includes Oscar-nominated director of photography Tom Stern ("Changeling"); Oscar-nominated production designer James J. Murakami ("Changeling") and production designer Charisse Cardenas; Oscar-winning editor Joel Cox ("Unforgiven") and editor Gary D. Roach; and costume designer Deborah Hopper.

Photo: AMERICAN SNIPER Official Site