Information varies as to whether or not the Battalion was ever officially formed, although Ronson states in his book that he meets with a U.S. general in the program who is "confounded by his continual failure to walk through his wall." Who wouldn't be? Doors are for suckers.

The title refers to the Battalion's efforts to train men to kill a goat just by staring at it. (Probably by causing the goat to laugh itself into an early grave.) Presumably, this was just for target practice, as even the crankiest nanny goats pose little to no threat to national security. There's no word on whether this movie will be a comedy or something more serious, but the smart hoof is on the former.

Clooney will star, and will produce the picture under his SmokeHouse banner. Clooney's long-time friend and production partner Grant Heslov will helm the project. Previously, the two teamed up for Good Night, and Good Luck.