Exclusive | Sean Penn working on explosive Jan. 6 movie with A-list superstar

Live updates

1. 17m ago

   Sean Penn’s Jan. 6 film with Bradley Cooper moves forward at Warner Bros.

   Sean Penn’s drama about the January 6 Capitol riot, starring Bradley Cooper as a Capitol Police officer, has entered advanced talks at Warner Bros. The project focuses on a friendship-driven narrative rather than a direct portrayal of the insurrection. Political pushback is anticipated. Penn’s involvement follows his Oscar win for *One Battle After Another*.

   What's confirmed:

   • Sean Penn is directing a film about a Capitol Police officer involved in the January 6 Capitol riots.
   • Bradley Cooper is in talks to star as the lead officer in the movie.
   • The project is currently in advanced negotiations at Warner Bros.
   • The film frames the January 6 events through a friendship lens, not as a direct insurrection narrative.
   • Political backlash is expected due to the film’s subject matter.
   confidence 100%
2. 1h ago

   Sean Penn’s Jan. 6 film with Bradley Cooper moves closer to Warner Bros. greenlight

   Sean Penn’s scripted drama about the January 6 Capitol riot, starring Bradley Cooper as a Capitol Police officer, has entered advanced negotiations at Warner Bros. The project frames the events through a friendship lens, not as a direct insurrection narrative. Political backlash is expected. Penn’s involvement follows his Oscar win for *One Battle After Another*.

   What's confirmed:

   • Sean Penn is directing a Warner Bros. film about the January 6 Capitol riot, with Bradley Cooper starring as a Capitol Police officer.
   • The project is described as an ‘unexpected story about friendship’ rather than a direct account of the insurrection.
   • Warner Bros. is in negotiations for the film, following Penn’s Oscar win for *One Battle After Another*.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The film may face significant political controversy, though no specific threats or backlash details have been confirmed.
   confidence 100%
3. 5h ago

   Sean Penn’s Jan. 6 drama with Bradley Cooper moves closer to Warner Bros. greenlight

   Sean Penn’s scripted film about the January 6 Capitol riot, starring Bradley Cooper as a Capitol police officer, has advanced to Warner Bros. negotiations. The project blends real-life events with a focus on friendship and is expected to face political controversy. Penn’s involvement follows his Oscar win for *One Battle After Another*.

   What's confirmed:

   • Sean Penn has finalized a directorial deal with Warner Bros. for a film scripted by him about the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
   • Bradley Cooper is in advanced discussions to star as a Capitol police officer in the drama.
   • The film is described as a fact-based story blending real events with a focus on friendship.
   • Warner Bros. is negotiating to acquire the scripted project, which follows Penn’s Oscar-winning *One Battle After Another*.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Industry sources warn the project could trigger political backlash, though no direct quotes or specifics are confirmed.
   confidence 92%
4. 6h ago

   Sean Penn directs Jan. 6 drama with Bradley Cooper as Capitol cop

   Sean Penn is writing and directing a Warner Bros. film about the January 6 Capitol riot, with Bradley Cooper in advanced talks to star as a police officer involved in the events. The project is described as a fact-based drama blending real-life elements with a focus on friendship. Warner Bros. is negotiating to acquire the scripted film, which follows Penn’s Oscar win for *One Battle After Another*. Industry sources warn the project could spark political backlash.

   What's confirmed:

   • Sean Penn will write, direct, and produce an untitled drama centered on a U.S. Capitol police officer during the January 6, 2021, riot.
   • Bradley Cooper is in talks to star as the lead officer in the film, with Warner Bros. negotiating to acquire the project.
   • The movie is described as a fact-based drama blending real-life events with an 'unexpected story about friendship.'
   • Warner Bros. is set to distribute the film, following Penn’s recent Oscar win for *One Battle After Another*.
   • Sources suggest the project may face political pushback due to its subject matter.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The film’s title or exact plot details remain undisclosed.
   • David Ellison, Warner Bros. co-chairman, is involved in negotiations but no formal deal has been announced.
   • The project could be structured as a biopic, though some reports describe it as a broader drama.
   • Penn is reportedly seeking additional A-list talent for supporting roles.
   confidence 97%
5. 6h ago

   Sean Penn’s January 6 drama with Bradley Cooper moves forward at Warner Bros.

   Sean Penn will write, direct, and produce an untitled film about a police officer’s experience during the January 6 Capitol riot, with Bradley Cooper in advanced talks to star. Warner Bros. is negotiating to acquire the project, described as a blend of real events and an ‘unexpected story about friendship.’ The film could face political and creative challenges.

   What's confirmed:

   • Sean Penn will write, direct, and produce a fact-based drama centered on a police officer’s role during the January 6 Capitol riot.
   • Bradley Cooper is in advanced discussions to star as the lead officer in the film, though no final deal has been announced.
   • Warner Bros. is negotiating to acquire the project, following Penn’s recent Oscar win for *One Battle After Another*.
   • The film is described as an ‘unexpected story about friendship’ tied to real events from January 6, 2021.
   • The project is being developed under Warner Bros. Discovery, with David Ellison reportedly involved in production discussions.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The film may cause ‘major problems’ due to its political subject matter, according to one source.
   • The project could face backlash or creative hurdles, though no specific details have been confirmed.
   • The script may focus on a real-life officer’s personal struggles amid the riot, but no officer’s identity has been disclosed.
   confidence 97%