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American Assassin adaptations: books & films
Every version of American Assassin — the books & films, compared across media.
American Assassin follows Mitch Rapp — a young man whose raw instincts and drive propel him from college athlete to covert operative — and the mentor, Cold War veteran Stan Hurley, who shapes that potential into something dangerous. These versions of the story, spanning the original novel and a 2017 film, trace the same character's violent transformation and his missions against threats that blur the line between terrorism and war.
American Assassin films
American Assassin books
Frequently asked
Is American Assassin based on a book?
Yes — American Assassin began as a novel, following Mitch Rapp before he became a CIA operative. The 2017 film adaptation takes the same character into a mission involving coordinated attacks on military and civilian targets.
How many versions of American Assassin are there?
There are two versions covered here: the original novel American Assassin and the 2017 film of the same name, both centring on Mitch Rapp.
Which American Assassin version should I start with?
The novel focuses on Mitch Rapp before his CIA career begins, while the 2017 film follows him after his fiancée's murder and his subsequent training under Stan Hurley — both are standalone entry points to the same character.