Chris Cooper hasjoined the cast of Universal's dark coming-of-age story Jarhead, which began shooting earlier this monthand is being directed by Sam Mendes.

Based on Marine AnthonySwofford's memoirs of the first Gulf War, Jarhead follows a group of fightersas they sustain themselves with sardonic humanity and wicked comedy in acountry they don't understand against an enemy they cannot see.

Cooper will playLt Col Kazinski, the officer in charge of an elite sniper unit, and joins JakeGyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard and Jamie Foxx.

Red Wagon Entertainmentpartners Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher are producing the project and WilliamBroyles Jr adapted the screenplay.

Cooper's upcoming creditsinclude Syriana opposite GeorgeClooney, and Capote with PhilipSeymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener.

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