Sean Penn will direct a new film focused on a police officer involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot in 2021, as announced by Warner Bros. The film remains untitled, and is penned by Penn himself. Bradley Cooper is reportedly in talks for a starring role, although no official agreement has been reached. Representatives for Penn and Warner Bros. have not disclosed details about the film’s main character but noted that it is inspired by a real individual.
In 2022, Penn attended the hearings of the House Select Committee, which was investigating the violent events at the Capitol. During these hearings, he sat alongside Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police officers Michael Fanone and Daniel Hodges, who were both on duty during the attacks. Officer Fanone testified that he was assaulted during the riot, experiencing a heart attack after being beaten and tased. Officer Hodges shared his own difficult experiences during the hearing as well. Penn mentioned attending the hearings as a concerned citizen eager to witness justice.
The film is described as centering on “an unexpected friendship.” Production is anticipated to begin by mid-2027. This announcement aligns with recent news regarding the U.S. Justice Department’s decision not to contest Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. This $111 billion transaction will transfer control of Warner Bros. film studio to David Ellison, Paramount’s CEO. Both David and his father, Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle, maintain connections with former President Donald Trump. Notably, David Ellison was present at a recent Ultimate Fighting Championship event held at the White House.
Penn’s previous work, “One Battle After Another,” won acclaim as a significant political film, securing the best picture award at the Academy Awards in March. Penn received his third Oscar for his role as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, characterized by racist military fervor. However, he chose to forgo the awards ceremony to visit Ukraine instead.
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