Sean Penn is set to direct a new film about the January 6 Capitol riot, with Bradley Cooper in talks to star, according to Deadline. The Oscar-winning actor will write and direct the untitled drama, described as a "passion project."
Film Details
The story will follow a police officer caught up in the violent insurrection of 2021. Cooper is reportedly in negotiations to play the lead role. The film is also being called an "unexpected story about friendship," developed in collaboration with the real-life subject, whose identity remains undisclosed.
Penn's Involvement
Penn attended a January 6 House committee hearing in 2022, stating he was there as "just another citizen" to observe. He said, "I think we all saw what happened on January 6, and now we’re looking to see if justice comes on the other side of it." Penn has previously called Donald Trump "an enemy of mankind" and a "narcissist."
Penn recently won his second Oscar for his role in Paul Thomas Anderson's comedy thriller One Battle After Another. He did not attend the ceremony as he was in Ukraine with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. His first Oscar was for portraying Harvey Milk in Milk.
Cooper's Career
Cooper, a 12-time Oscar nominee, was last seen in the comedy Is This Thing On?, which he also directed. He will next voice a character in Bong Joon-ho's animated adventure Ally alongside Ayo Edebiri, and will write, direct, and star in an Ocean's Eleven prequel with Margot Robbie.
Related Projects
The events of January 6 are also reportedly loosely covered in Aaron Sorkin's upcoming Facebook sequel The Social Reckoning, which examines social media's role in the attack.
