Jeremy Renner took a break from his 'Avengers' duties to tackle the world of investigative journalism in 'Kill the Messenger,' the first trailer for which debuted online today, teasing the film's all-star cast and high-stakes storyline.

Renner -- whom last time we saw was sporting a slick comb-over in David O. Russell's Oscar-winning 'American Hustle' and film festival darling 'The Immigrant,' and will soon return as Hawkeye for 'Avengers 2' -- now takes the role of real-life journalist Gary Webb, a man who was led down a cocaine-laced road and eventually uncovered the truth behind the crack epidemic. Further details from Focus Features read:

Webb stumbles onto a story which leads to the shady origins of the men who started the crack epidemic on the nation’s streets…and further alleges that the CIA was aware of major dealers who were smuggling cocaine into the US, and using the profits to arm rebels fighting in Nicaragua. Despite warnings from drug kingpins and CIA operatives to stop his investigation, Webb keeps digging to uncover a conspiracy with explosive implications. His journey takes him from the prisons of California to the villages of Nicaragua to the highest corridors of power in Washington, DC – and draws the kind of attention that threatens not just his career, but his family and his life.

... Hence the title!

'Kill the Messenger' -- which is directed by Michael Cuesta, who helmed episodes of 'Homeland' and 'Dexter' -- also features Rosemarie DeWitt, Ray Liotta, Tim Blake Nelson, Barry Pepper, Oliver Platt, Michael Sheen, Paz Vega, Michael Kenneth Williams, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Andy Garcia. You can also check out the first poster for the film, hitting theaters this October 10, below.

Kill the Messenger Poster
Focus Features
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