According to a press release put up on the Web by Sarver's lawyer, Jeffrey S. Sarver is planning to sue the makers of “The Hurt Locker,” claiming that he is in fact Will James, the film's main character played by Jeremy Renner.
There will be a press conference on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2010 AT 11:00 A.M. EST AT THE LAW OFFICES OF GEOFFREY FIEGER , 19390 WEST TEN MILE ROAD, SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN, to announce the filing, in Federal District Court, of a multimillion dollar lawsuit on behalf of an Iraq war hero, Master Sgt. Jeffrey S. Sarver, and against the makers of the Academy Award nominated film “The Hurt Locker.”
Plaintiff, Master Sgt. Jeffrey S. Sarver, is, in fact, the film's main character “Will James” or “Blaster One” [which was Master Sgt. Sarver's “call signal” during his tours of duty in Iraq].
The suit alleges that the screenwriter of “The Hurt Locker,” Mark Boal, was allowed, as part of an armed services press program, to be embedded in Master Sgt. Sarver's unit. Virtually all of the situations portrayed in the film were, in fact, occurrences involving Master Sgt. Sarver that were observed and documented by Screenwriter Boal. Master Sgt. Sarver also coined the phrase, “The Hurt Locker” for Boal.
Hurt Locker poster
Ultimately, a magazine article about Master Sgt. Sarver, written by Screenwriter Boal, appeared in Playboy Magazine. That story was later adapted by Boal for the screenplay of “The Hurt Locker.” The suit alleges that the film's makers falsely claim that the characters portrayed in the film are fictional when, in fact, the film's main character “Will James,” IS Master Sgt. Sarver.
The suit alleges that the movie's screenwriter and makers decided to cheat Master Sgt. Sarver [a man who has repeatedly risked his life for his country] out of financial participation in the film, and any acknowledgment of his heroic actions in Iraq. Master Sgt. Sarver only learned of the Appropriation of his identity after the film's release.
“The Hurt Locker” has wowed critics and earned nine nominations for Oscars, and it is widely considered the frontrunner for best film when the awards are given out on March 7 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The lawsuit is the second, recent problem for “The Hurt Locker.” Late last month, one of the film's producers, Nicolas Chartier, wrongly sent an e-mail to Academy members casting a competing film in a derogatory light.
If you haven't seen The Hurt Locker trailer, check it out now!
