Dec. 15--During her tour of duty with the Marines in Iraq, Megan Leavey worked with a bomb-sniffing dog called Sergeant Rex. Now her story is being turned into a biopic starring Kate Mara ("House of Cards") and Common, the Chicago native who won an Oscar last year for best song "Glory" (for "Selma").
According to Deadline, Common will play will play the role of Sgt. Gunney Massey, "the Gunnery Sergeant in charge of the kennels at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton."
Rex, a German Sherpherd, died three years ago at age 11 after Leavey struggled (successfully) to adopt him after her military service was up in 2008.
"In 2012, Rex developed facial palsy, which prevented him from doing his bomb-sniffing tasks," per a report from CBS New York. "He faced being put down if the adoption didn't go through. Sen. Charles Schumer intervened, and ultimately Rex was allowed to live with Leavey."
nmetz@tribpub.com
