War veteran ordered to pay Hurt Locker suit fees

Sergeant Jeffrey Sarver sued director Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal, alleging the Oscar-winning war film was based on his experiences as a bomb disposal expert and portrayed him in a false light.

A U.S. district judge dismissed Sarver’s case in October (11), ruling the drama’s value was “derived from the creativity and skill of the writers, directors, and producers”.

Now Sarver has been told he must pay the filmmakers’ expenses, including $38,000 (£24,000) for Boal and Bigelow, $90,000 (£56,000) for The Hurt Locker producers, and $59,000 (£37,000) for the distributor, Summit Entertainment.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Sarver plans to appeal against the ruling.