Sean Penn to Helm Untitled Capitol Riot Drama, Bradley Cooper in Early Talks to Play Officer

Sean Penn is set to direct an untitled film centered on a police officer whose life leads to his presence during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, with Bradley Cooper in early talks to star, according to multiple reports. The project, acquired by Warner Bros. in a negative pickup, reunites Penn with the studio behind his upcoming film "One Battle After Another." "an unexpected story about friendship" Variety described the film as only tangentially related to January 6, a framing that appears designed to minimize potential controversy around the subject matter. The A.V. Club noted that no deal is in place yet for Cooper, though Penn has written the screenplay and will direct. Rolling Stone reported that given Penn's political leanings, the film will likely be critical of former President Trump. The outlet also flagged potential production hurdles, though it did not specify what those might be. The project follows Penn's 2023 documentary on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his recent Oscar win for "One Battle After Another," according to The A.V. Club. "a police officer whose early life leads to his involvement in the January 6th Capitol riots" Deadline, which first broke the news, reported that the film is described as a biopic about an officer who defended the Capitol during the insurrection. The project marks Penn's return to Warner Bros., which also distributed his 2023 film "One Battle After Another." As of now, no official title or production timeline has been announced.

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