War Machine, Netflix’s pricey acquisition, has cast Brad Pitt’s latest co-star. Anthony Michael Hall has joined the film to play Gen. Hank Pulver, Pitt’s character’s second-in-command, reports Deadline. The movie is loosely based on The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story Of America’s War in Afghanistan, a best-selling book written by late journalist Michael Hastings.
The satirical comedy will follow Pitt’s character, who was inspired by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, a four-star general who was appointed to lead all U.S. and ISAF forces in Afghanistan in 2009. Ultimately, McChrystal resigned in 2010 after critical remarks he and his subordinates made about the Obama administration were published in a Rolling Stone article. Little is know about Hall’s character at this point, aside from the fact that Gen. Hank Pulver seems to have been inspired by Gen. Mike Flynn.
Hall has made a name for himself as an actor, director, and producer over his long career. He previously starred in and served as co-executive producer of USA’s The Dead Zone and co-starred in Foxcatcher, which was nominated for multiple Academy Awards. Hall most recently appeared in Results, a indie romantic comedy that premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.
Netflix shelled out $30 million for War Machine‘s distribution rights, making a clear statement about the company’s intent to establish itself as a film studio in addition to streamer. The movie comes from writer-director David Michôd, who has directed Animal Kingdom and The Rover, as well as several short films and documentaries. The project will be produced by Ian Bryce, Pitt, and the actor’s Plan B Entertainment partners Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner.
War Machine‘s release date has not yet been announced.
