Weinstein Company Developing TV Series on Black US Army Sniper

The Weinstein Company (TWC) has acquired rights to create a five-part TV series on Nicholas Irving, a black sniper who served in the U.S. Army.

The New York Post reports that Irving, “the first black sniper in the Army’s Third Ranger Battalion,” scored 33 kills “in less than four months,” thereby earning the nickname “The Reaper.” This also the name of Irving’s autobiography, the one to which TWC has now acquired rights.

According to The Wrap, after acquiring the rights Weinstein said, “‘The Reaper’ is a gripping story about a great American soldier we are proud to be a part of.” He said “Irving’s true bravery and heroism will make for some of the most riveting television ever seen and will inspire patriotism in anyone who experiences it.”

Marc Resnick, editor of Irving’s autobiography, “will executive produce the project on behalf of MacMillan Entertainment.”

TWC’s announcement comes Clint Eastwood’s “American Sniper” has been smashing records at the box office since its January 16 release.