“Kill the Messenger,” a thriller about the CIA’s Central American cocaine connection starring Jeremy Renner, will be released on October 10, Focus Features said Wednesday.
It’s based on the true story of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gary Webb, who’s reporting leads to allegations that the CIA was aware of major dealers who were smuggling cocaine into the U.S., and using the profits to arm rebels fighting in Nicaragua. He becomes the target of a smear campaign that threatens his career, family and life.
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Michael Cuesta (TV’s “Homeland”) directs a cast that includes Michael Sheen, Andy Garcia, Ray Liotta, Barry Pepper, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Rosemarie DeWitt, Paz Vega and Oliver Platt. It’s written by Peter Landesman and based on the book of the same name by Nick Schou as well as Webb’s book “Dark Alliance.” It’s Renner’ first film as a producer.
That release date will put it up against Disney’s family film “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” Sony’s Seth Rogen comedy “The Interview” and Warner Bros.’ Robert Downey Jr.-Robert Duvall drama “The Judge.”