Bin Laden Movie Stirs Controversy

Some are questioning the timing of a movie from The Hurt Locker director about the killing of Osama bin Laden that’s scheduled to hit theatres just before the 2012 election. INSIDE EDITION has the story.

Could a movie about the raid that took down Osama bin Laden help President Obama get re-elected?

The movie is tentatively titled Kill bin Laden and it's being directed by Kathryn Bigelow, who became the first woman director to win an Oscar® for The Hurt Locker.

Bin Laden's killing is widely considered President Obama's greatest achievement in office and according to New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, the filmmakers are getting "top level access to the most classified mission in history."

That has raised suspicions among Republicans, especially when you consider the release date for the movie is October 12, 2012, just three weeks before the Presidential election. An October surprise that could give Obama a much needed boost in a tough re-election campaign.

Representative Peter King, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, is calling for an investigation to determine if classified information was leaked to the filmmakers.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney denies that Bigelow and her writer, Mark Boal, are getting special treatment.

"First of all, the claims are ridiculous. We do not discuss classified information. I would hope that as we face a continued threat of terrorism, the committee has more important things to worry about than a movie," said Carney.

Bigelow and Boal say the film has been in development for three years and deny any political motivation, and released this statement:

"Our upcoming film project has been in the works for many years and integrates the collective efforts of three administrations, including those of Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama. This was an American triumph, both heroic and non-partisan, and there is no basis to suggest that out film will represent this enormous victory otherwise."