'Hurt Locker' Lawsuit Dismissed, Mark Boal and Kathryn Bigelow React

Two years after the release of The Hurt Locker, a lawsuit against the Oscar-winning film-makers has been dismissed by U.S. District Judge Jaqueline Nguyen.

Sergeant Jeffrey Sarver had accused the film of improperly using his likeness, claiming Jeremy Renner's lead character was based off of him.

STORY: 'Hurt Locker' Producers Shoot Back at Iraq War Veteran's Lawsuit

"The Hurt Locker was inspired by many soldiers I met and interviewed during my time reporting in Iraq and elsewhere," said screenwriter and producer Mark Boal in a statement. "It was a disservice to all of those other soldiers for Sgt. Sarver to claim that he was the only soldier that was the basis for the hero of the film.  I am glad that the Court has decided to dismiss the lawsuit.”
 

Jeremiah Reynolds, the attorney of Boal and the film's director Kathryn Bigelow, also chimed in. “Judge Nguyen found that Sgt. Sarver’s claims were meritless and completely barred by the First Amendment," he says. "Her ruling is a huge victory for all filmmakers who should feel comfortable using real life events as inspiration for their films.  No artist should ever be forced to create entire fictional worlds that have no basis in reality simply because they fear the threat of meritless lawsuits.”

STORY: War vet says he's suing 'Hurt Locker' for ID theft

The Hurt Locker won 6 Academy Awards in 2010, including Best Picture, Best Achievement in Directing for Bigelow and Original Screenplay for Boal.

Sgt. Sarver has been ordered to pay the filmmakers' attorney fees.