Sean Penn plans to direct a movie about a police officer who was present during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Warner Bros. announced this project on Tuesday. This upcoming film follows Penn’s Oscar-winning role in ‘One Battle After Another’.
The film, still without an official title, will use a script written by Penn. Bradley Cooper is in discussions to star in the movie, although an agreement has not been finalized. The movie’s protagonist is based on a real person, but neither representatives for Penn nor Warner Bros. commented further on the character’s identity.
Sean Penn was noted for attending the 2022 hearings of the House Select Committee on the attack. He was seen seated between Michael Fanone and Daniel Hodges, officers from the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police. Both officers provided testimonies about their experiences during the riot.
Fanone shared that he urgently went to the scene where he faced violence and was only released after mentioning his children. This assault led to him having a heart attack. Hodges also detailed his intense experience at the event. Penn, attending the hearings, claimed he was there as an ordinary citizen to ensure justice was served.
The film is expected to center around an ‘unexpected friendship.’ Production is likely to begin in mid-2027. This announcement coincided with the U.S. Justice Department stating it will not oppose Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The $111 billion deal, made in February, places Warner Bros. under David Ellison’s leadership, CEO of Paramount. David and his father, Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle, have significant connections to former President Donald Trump. Recently, David attended an Ultimate Fighting Championship event at the White House.
‘One Battle After Another’ received high praise as a poignant political film and won the Best Picture award at the Academy Awards in March. Penn earned his third Oscar for his portrayal of Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, a role he did not attend the ceremony for as he was visiting Ukraine.