MEGAN LEAVEY Trailer

Humans aren’t the only living creatures sent off to war, and considering our affinity for bonding with other animals, it’s no wonder that the men and women who serve become attached to their four-legged compatriots. But these are not their animals, and in yet another cruelty of war, they are often separated from the people who love them.

That’s what happened to Megan Leavey and her combat dog, a real-life duo that served together during the Iraq War. Leavey wasn’t down for the standard, heartbreaking ending, though, and her fight to get the dog back is now our latest war-inspired movie.

These projects are always in danger of being a jingoist exercise, but Megan Leavey is the unexpected follow-up for Blackfish director Gabriela Cowperthwaite. I don’t see her getting distracted by the big, shiny military when a compelling human-animal relationship is afoot, and she certainly knows how to wring the latter for all it’s worth.

Another odd credit for the project is Bridesmaids co-writer Annie Mumolo, who along with two other writers molded the real-life story into a fictional narrative. The strange assortment of behind the scenes players almost makes Kate Mara’s presence as a tiny marine (yes, that’s a reference to the Tiny Detectives skit from Funny Or Die) seem normal.

The group may not be the most likely to band together for a war movie, but that also opens up the possibility for a fresh spin on the genre. Oh, and there will be lovable dogs. Can’t forget that.

Megan Leavey is directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite and stars Kate Mara, Bradley Whitford, and Edie Falco. It will be released in the U.S. on June 9th, 2017. Further release dates are not currently known.

Do you think the unusual filmmakers behind Megan Leavey will take this war film in a unique direction? Let us know in the comments!