Photo: Mara, Leavey. Courtesy of Getty Images, schumer.senate.gov
EXCLUSIVE
〉The untitled project follows a US Marine’s quest to reunite with her dog
EXCLUSIVEBefore she hits theaters next week as a superhero in Fox’s Fantastic Four reboot, Kate Mara has now signed on to play real-life hero Megan Leavey in an untitled drama. Based on Leavey’s inspiring true story, the pic centers on the US Corporal and her dog Rex, who were both injured whilst disarming an IED in Iraq. Pamela Gray will script the heartwarming story, with Mickey Liddell, Jennifer Hilton Monroe, and Pete Shilaimon producing via LD Entertainment and Nicole Stojkovich overseeing.
Leavey went on to receive the purple heart for her actions, and recovered with Sgt. Rex. before returning home. Leavey then attempted to adopt Rex, but was denied and the bomb-sniffing canine was sent back to Iraq. After spending six years fighting through bureaucratic roadblocks, Leavey’s endeavor to adopt Rex gained national notoriety and support, launching a campaign to return the dog with his handler.
Following Rex’s retirement from duty, the duo were reunited, though they were only able to spend a brief time together before Rex passed. Sgt. Rex served nearly eleven years as a military working dog, credited with saving lives and sniffing out explosives that ended up saving more. Rex’s former handler Mike Dowling wrote a pic about the four-legged hero, Sergeant Rex: The Unbreakable Bond Between a Marine and His Military Working Dog.
Mara is no stranger to fact-based films, as she’ll next portray Ashley Smith opposite David Oyelowo in the drama Captive. The House of Cards breakout will also appear alongside Matt Damon and Jessica Chastain in Ridley Scott’s sci-fi/thriller The Martian, which bows this October. Mara will also lend her voice to Comedy Central’s animated series Moombeam City, which features the talents of Rob Lowe and Elizabeth Banks.
Mara is repped by UTA and Mosaic.
—TO SEE ALL THE PROJECT DETAILS CLICK HERE—
Clark Allen | Associate Editor
