'American Sniper' Uproar Over 'Coward' Comments

It's the movie about an American war hero that's making box-office history, and igniting a firestorm of controversy.

Famed director Michael Moore is taking dead aim at the film, tweeting: "My uncle killed by sniper in WW2. We were taught snipers were cowards. Will shoot u in the back. Snipers aren't heroes. And invaders r worse."

Fox News reported, "I never hear him talking about ISIS or Boko Haram, kidnap young girls and turn them into suicide bombers."

"Michael Moore blasts American Sniper hero: gunmen are "cowards." He's kidding, right?" actor Rob Lowe tweeted.

On a billboard in Los Angeles, someone sprayed the word "MURDER!" over the American Sniper poster. The poster was quickly covered up.

On his Facebook page, Moore seemed stunned by the outrage, insisting: "I didn't say a word about "American Sniper" in my tweets." "My dad always said, "Snipers are cowards. They don't believe in a fair fight. Like someone coming up from behind and cold-cocking you."

INSIDE EDITION visited the real-life American Sniper, Chris Kyle and his wife Taya before he was shot dead on a Texas gun range two years ago by a former marine suffering from severe post-traumatic stress.

Kyle had 160 confirmed kills during his four tours of duty in Iraq, making him the most lethal sniper in U.S. history.

And now, the movie about his life is generating box-office gold, and controversy to match.