Jeremy Renner says the fact that Kill The Messenger was a true story was a major draw for him when he read the script.
Renner is set to take on the real-life role of journalist Gary Webb, who uncovered the role the CIA played in importing cocaine in the U.S.
And Renner admits that the truth of the story was one of the major reasons that he wanted to get involved with the project and tell the tale.
Speaking to Collider, the actor said: "It was a lot of things. Initially, it was selfishness. I was like, 'Wow, this is an amazing role and it’s an amazing story.'
"Then, I got to the end of the script and I went, 'Go away, this happened around the corner from where I grew up. I knew nothing about this.'
"So, it wasn’t so much that. It was a true story, which was the main reason why I was like, 'This needs to be on a big screen.' Otherwise, this could be just good TV.
"But because it was a true story, I thought, 'Wait, this needs to be broadcast. This needs to be louder and make more noise.' That was the ultimate reason for me to make it into a movie."
Kill The Messenger sees Renner team up with director Michael Cuesta, while Peter Landesman has penned the screenplay.
A great cast has been assembled for the film, as Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Michael Sheen and Ray Liotta are some of the other names on board.
2015 is going to be a busy year for Renner as he will also be back in Avengers: Age of Ultron - where he will reprise the role of Hawkeye.
He is currently filming Mission: Impossible 5, while a second Bourne film for him is also in the pipeline.
Kill The Messenger is released 6th March.
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