Sean Penn To Direct Timely Movie Next, Re-Teaming With Warner Bros With Bradley Cooper In Talks To Star

Following a critically acclaimed, Oscar-winning supporting turn in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, Sean Penn is stepping back behind the camera. The veteran actor and filmmaker has lined up his next passion project, an untitled drama set up at Warner Bros. The film will chronicle the life of a police officer who was caught up in the events of the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Adding to the immense pedigree of the project, Bradley Cooper is currently in talks to take on the leading role.

The Story: Beyond a “January 6th Movie”

While the premise inherently carries heavy political and historical weight, insiders are quick to clarify the film’s intended tone. According to sources close to the production, the project is not a traditional “January 6th movie” focused solely on the politics of the insurrection. Instead, Penn’s script explores the subject’s early journey and is described primarily as an “unexpected story about friendship.” The narrative will dig into the foundational years of the officer, shedding light on the path that led him to become an American hero in the eyes of many during the Capitol attack.

The real-life officer who inspired the script is fully on board with the project, though their identity is being kept strictly under wraps for the time being. However, it is no secret that Sean Penn has a deep, personal interest in the subject matter. In 2022, Penn famously attended the House Select Committee hearings on the January 6 attack as “just another citizen.” During those hearings, he sat alongside Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police officers Michael Fanone and Daniel Hodges, both of whom survived the harrowing assault and testified about their experiences.

A Hollywood Reunion

If a deal is finalized, this project will serve as a reunion for Penn and Cooper, who both previously appeared in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2021 coming-of-age film Licorice Pizza.

Penn will be wearing multiple hats for the upcoming drama. In addition to directing and writing the screenplay, he will produce the film alongside John Ira Palmer and John Wildermuth through their Projected Picture Works production banner. The deal with Warner Bros. was successfully negotiated by CAA Media Finance on behalf of the producers.

Production Timeline and Upcoming Schedules

While the project is moving forward at Warner Bros., cameras will not be rolling immediately. Production is currently targeting a mid-2027 start date. This delayed timeline is primarily due to Bradley Cooper’s incredibly packed schedule. The A Star Is Born and Maestro filmmaker recently directed the Searchlight dramedy Is This Thing On?, and he is next set to pull triple duty on another major project. Cooper will write, direct, and star alongside Margot Robbie in a highly anticipated Ocean’s Eleven prequel. That heist movie, which is also set up at Warner Bros., will follow Danny Ocean’s parents pulling off a grand heist at the 1962 Monaco Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, Penn’s relationship with Warner Bros. remains incredibly strong following his recent Academy Award victory under the studio’s banner. Executives have shown immense faith in his directorial vision for this timely, fact-based drama, setting the stage for what is sure to be one of the most talked-about films of the coming years.

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