On March 2, Warner Brothers announced that Jennifer Lawrence will portray Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist and Staples alum, Lynsey Addario ’91 in the upcoming movie directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Addario’s book “It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War.”

The highly anticipated movie caused a frenzy of bidding rights after the book hit the shelves on Feb. 5. Reese Witherspoon, Natalie Portman and George Clooney were among those who tried to snatch up a role in producing this film.

Addario’s life mission is to photograph in war zones across the globe to help bring justice to areas with strife.  Her autobiography captures her experiences in the Middle East, India and Africa.

Nikki Lynch ’16 had the chance to visit the Middle East this summer, specifically Israel where she saw first hand the conditions that Addario saw everyday at work.

“There was a moment when it finally hit me that I realized I was in a place that I always hear how dangerous it was,” said Lynch. “And the fact that there are bomb threats daily [in the Middle East].”

Addario puts herself in those conditions every time she goes off on a job.

Her most notable trip, though, was when she visited Libya. She, along with three other New York Times reporters, one of which was Tyler Hicks ’88, the uncle of Eli Koskoff ’15, went missing for five days.

Both Addario and Hicks were harassed, threatened, bound and blindfolded for the duration of much of those five days.

“I really admire how my uncle is so determined to spread truth and awareness,” said Koskoff. “He [and Addario were] willing to risk what many others wouldn’t.”

The job of a photojournalist is to spread news that needs to be heard no matter the circumstances. Addario is known for doing just that. She’s gone as far as continuing with her dangerous work with a baby on the way.

Addario has a promising story that will attract attention in the movie world with the help of Jennifer Lawrence.

Staples students like, Jenna Levantin ’16 are excited that Jennifer Lawrence is the playing the role of Addario.

“The story of Lynsey Addario is truly amazing and inspiring,” said Levantin. “I can’t imagine a better person to play Lynsey because her and Jennifer are both incredibly strong women.”

The Staples community can look forward to watching the story of one of their own come to life on the big screen.

“It’s pretty cool that a women like that comes from the same high school that we all do,” Levantin said.