<p>Master Sergeant Jeffrey S Sarver is due to file a multi-million dollar federal lawsuit against 'The Hurt Locker' film-makers, claiming the movie depicts his own experiences as the leader of an explosives disposal unit, Contactmusic reported.<br /><br />Sarver, 38, alleges 'The Hurt Locker' screenwriter Mark Boal was allowed to travel with his unit in Iraq as part of an armed services press program.<br /><br />Sarver's attorney Geoffrey Fieger explained in a statement, "Virtually all of the situations portrayed in the film were, in fact, occurrences involving Master Sgt. Sarver that were observed and documented by screenwriter Boal.<br /><br />"The suit alleges that, for reasons that can only be explained by greed, the movie's screenwriter and makers decided to cheat Master Sgt Sarver (a man who repeatedly risked his life for his country) out of financial participation in the film, and any acknowledgement of his heroic actions in Iraq. Master Sgt Sarver only learned of the appropriation of his identity after the film's release," the statement added. <br /><br />A spokesperson for Summit Entertainment, the firm which distributed the film in US, has responded to the claims and said, "We have no doubt that Master Sgt Sarver served his country with honour and commitment, risking his life for a greater good, but we distributed the film based on a fictional screenplay written by Mark Boal. We hope for a quick resolution to the claims made by Master Sgt Sarver."<br /><br />Actor Jeremy Renner plays the role of Sergeant William James, the character allegedly based on Sarver, in the film, which has been nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor.<br /><br />It adds to the woes for the makers of 'The Hurt Locker', as recently Nicolas Chartier, producer of the film, has been barred by the Academy from attending the Oscar awards gala on March 7 for violating the campaign rules and sending email, urging Academy members to vote for 'Locker' and not 'Avatar.<br /></p>
<p>Master Sergeant Jeffrey S Sarver is due to file a multi-million dollar federal lawsuit against 'The Hurt Locker' film-makers, claiming the movie depicts his own experiences as the leader of an explosives disposal unit, Contactmusic reported.<br /><br />Sarver, 38, alleges 'The Hurt Locker' screenwriter Mark Boal was allowed to travel with his unit in Iraq as part of an armed services press program.<br /><br />Sarver's attorney Geoffrey Fieger explained in a statement, "Virtually all of the situations portrayed in the film were, in fact, occurrences involving Master Sgt. Sarver that were observed and documented by screenwriter Boal.<br /><br />"The suit alleges that, for reasons that can only be explained by greed, the movie's screenwriter and makers decided to cheat Master Sgt Sarver (a man who repeatedly risked his life for his country) out of financial participation in the film, and any acknowledgement of his heroic actions in Iraq. Master Sgt Sarver only learned of the appropriation of his identity after the film's release," the statement added. <br /><br />A spokesperson for Summit Entertainment, the firm which distributed the film in US, has responded to the claims and said, "We have no doubt that Master Sgt Sarver served his country with honour and commitment, risking his life for a greater good, but we distributed the film based on a fictional screenplay written by Mark Boal. We hope for a quick resolution to the claims made by Master Sgt Sarver."<br /><br />Actor Jeremy Renner plays the role of Sergeant William James, the character allegedly based on Sarver, in the film, which has been nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor.<br /><br />It adds to the woes for the makers of 'The Hurt Locker', as recently Nicolas Chartier, producer of the film, has been barred by the Academy from attending the Oscar awards gala on March 7 for violating the campaign rules and sending email, urging Academy members to vote for 'Locker' and not 'Avatar.<br /></p>
