It's not due to hit theaters till December 25, but we now have our first look at Joseph Gordon-Levitt as whistle-blower Edward Snowden in Oliver Stone's upcoming international thriller Snowden. The first couple of images are fascinating because they reveal an Edward Snowden many people probably aren't familiar with.
If you've read the papers and watched the news -- and devoured the fantastic Oscar-winning documentary Citizenfour -- then the version of Snowden you know is not the one you see here. But yes, long before he became the world's most famous whistle-blower, Snowden enlisted in the U.S. Army.
So what happened?
Here's what Gordon-Levitt had to say on Facebook after he posted a second image of himself as Snowden, featured below.
"I was surprised when I first learned this about Snowden -- that he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2004. He wanted to go fight in Iraq, but during basic training at Fort Benning, he broke both of his legs and received an administrative discharge. After that, he was still determined to serve his country (love him or hate him, you gotta admit the guy's strong-willed) and so he ended up getting a job at the CIA, which is where his career in Intelligence began.
Today's scenes felt like a really good way to start this shoot. It was hard, but of course, nowhere near as hard as real basic training. And me, I'm just honored and excited to be doing a soldier sequence with Oliver. I keep saying to myself: "f*ck, this guy directed Platoon!"'
Open Road Films will release Snowden on December 25, 2015. Could we see his story back in the awards race yet again? What do you think?
Erik is a leading movie commentator who has worked for outlets such as AOL Moviefone and Movies.com.
Special Offer
Buy a Dolby Cinema Ticket to Moana and use code YOUREWELCOME to redeem your special offer!
Limited time offer. While supplies last. There is a limited quantity of Code redemptions allowed in this promotion. Log in to your Fandango account on Fandango.com or via the Fandango app between 6/10/26 and 7/17/26, purchase at least one (1) Dolby Cinema ticket to see Moana, and enter the Fandango promotional code YOUREWELCOME (“Code”) to get up to $5 off your purchase. Code expires, and can no longer be used, if not redeemed by 7/17/26, or when the limit of Code redemptions is reached, or when Moana is no longer available in Dolby Cinema theaters, whichever comes first. Code must be entered at checkout. Only valid for purchase of movie tickets made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. You must have, and be logged into, a Fandango account to redeem the Code on Fandango. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. If cost of movie tickets and associated fees and charges is more than Code’s maximum discount, then user must pay the difference. Any price difference between total transaction price and Code’s maximum discount will not be refunded. One-time use only per transaction. Limit one (1) Code redemption per person. Void where prohibited. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). You may have to pay taxes additionally. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango's Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Get the Stache Pack Bundle and receive one movie ticket to Super Troopers 3 plus an exclusive Super Troopers concessions vessel!
*The Stach Pack Bundle is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. Popcorn not included. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The Super Troopers-Themed Collectible Concessions Vessel will begin shipping in August. Please use a physical U.S. address where the Super Troopers-Themed Collectible Concessions Vessel shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://store.fandango.com/the-stache-pack-bundle.
Buy a ticket to jackass: best and last, get The Jackass Cinematic Universe for $9.99
Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app and purchase, between 6:00am PT on 6/27/26 and 11:59pm PT on 7/17/26, at least one (1) movie ticket to ‘jackass: best and last'. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing one (1) Fandango at Home Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for the purchase (and not the rental) of The Jackass Cinematic Universe for $9.99 in My Offers in your account on http://fandangoathome.com and via participating Fandango at Home apps. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Code expires on (and must be used by) 7/20/26 at 11:59pm PT. Limit one per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). You must have a Fandango at Home account to redeem your Code on Fandango at Home. Fandango at Home is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to open a Fandango at Home account. Credit card may be required for transactions on fandangoathome.com. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Buy a ticket to watch Illumination’s Minions & Monsters and you could win a Universal theme park vacation in Hollywood or Orlando
NO PURCHASE OR APP NECESSARY. Purchase does not increase chances of winning. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., 21 years of age and older. Void where prohibited. Ends July 31, 2026, visit https://www.fandangomovietickets.com/UniversalDreamEscapeSweepstakes. Sponsor: Fandango Media, LLC, 10 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608.
Get the Beyond The Reef Bundle and receive one movie ticket to Moana plus an exclusive pin set featuring Hei Hei and Pua!
*Beyond the Reef Bundle is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. Please use a physical U.S. address where the limited-edition Disney collectible Pin USA set shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://store.fandango.com/products/beyond-the-reef-bundle
Get 1 free ticket instantly when you join FanClub with your Minions & Monsters ticket order.
The ‘Minions & Monsters – 1 free ticket FanClub Promotion' offer (the “Offer”) begins 5/6/26 and will run for a limited time. Offer valid for new FanClub members only. To be eligible, you must subscribe to a 1-month paid FanClub membership ($9.99 per month + tax) when purchasing tickets Minions & Monsters on the Fandango website or mobile app, and Offer will be automatically applied at checkout. To redeem the Offer, you must complete checkout while an eligible FanClub membership is in your cart and Offer is applied. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law); void where prohibited. Adjustments to prior purchases not permitted. Taxes may apply. Offer may only be redeemed once per person. Fandango reserves the right to withdraw or modify this Offer at any time, in its sole discretion, and without notice. Additional terms and conditions apply, including Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Get 1 free ticket instantly when you join FanClub with your Spider-Man: Brand New Day ticket order.
"The ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day – 1 free ticket FanClub Promotion' offer (the “Offer”) begins 6/17/26 and will run for a limited time. Offer valid for new FanClub members only. To be eligible, you must subscribe to a 1-month paid FanClub membership at $9.99 per month + tax when purchasing tickets Spider-Man: Brand New Day on the Fandango website or mobile app, and Offer will be automatically applied at checkout. To redeem the Offer, you must complete checkout while an eligible FanClub membership is in your cart and Offer is applied. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law); void where prohibited. Adjustments to prior purchases not permitted. Taxes may apply. Offer may only be redeemed once per person. Fandango reserves the right to withdraw or modify this Offer at any time, in its sole discretion, and without notice. Additional terms and conditions apply, including Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies. "
Buy a ticket to Minions & Monsters, get the Minions 2-Movie Collection for $10 on Fandango at Home.
*Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app and purchase, between 12:01am PT on 6/9/26 and 11:59pm PT on 6/30/26, at least one movie ticket to ‘Minions & Monsters'. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing 1 Fandango at Home Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for the purchase (and not the rental) of the Minions 2-Movie Collection for $10 in My Offers in your account on http://fandangoathome.com and via participating Fandango at Home apps. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Code expires on (and must be used by) 7/3/26 at 11:59pm PT. Limit one per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). You must have a Fandango at Home account to redeem your Code on Fandango at Home. Fandango at Home is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to open a Fandango at Home account. Credit card may be required for transactions on fandangoathome.com. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
