Claim: War Dogs features Jonah Hill.

War Dogs is a 2016 American biographical black comedy-drama film directed by Todd Phillips and written by Phillips , Jason Smilovic and Stephen Chin , based on a Rolling Stone article by Guy Lawson . Lawson then wrote a book titled Arms and the Dudes detailing the story . The film follows two arms dealers , Efraim Diveroli and David Packouz , who receive a US Army contract to supply munitions for the Afghan National Army worth approximately $ 300 million . The film is heavily fictionalized and dramatized , and some of its events , such as the duo driving through Iraq , were either invented or based on other events , such as screenwriter Stephen Chin 's own experiences .   The film stars Jonah Hill , Miles Teller , Ana de Armas and Bradley Cooper , who also co-produced . Filming began on March 2 , 2015 in Romania . The film premiered in New York City on August 3 , 2016 and was theatrically released by Warner Bros. . Pictures on August 19 , 2016 . It received mixed reviews from critics and grossed over $ 86 million . Hill received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance .