Sean Penn to direct Jan. 6-inspired film, Bradley Cooper in talks to star

Oscar-winning actor, filmmaker and vocal Trump critic Sean Penn will direct a new movie inspired by the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots, with Bradley Cooper in talks to take the lead role.

Warner Bros. Pictures announced Tuesday that Penn will write and direct the currently untitled project, which will be based on a police officer who was involved in the riot, according to the Associated Press.

The project marks the latest attempt by the entertainment industry to grapple with one of the most consequential and politically divisive moments in modern U.S. history. Documentary films such as "The Sixth," "Four Hours at the Capitol" and "January 6" each have offered different perspectives on what transpired that day.

In the Jan. 6 riot, thousands of supporters of then-President Donald Trump descended on the Capitol to disrupt the certification of the results of the 2020 presidential election, which Trump lost. The riot followed Trump speaking to supporters on the White House Ellipse at a “Save America” rally in which he argued claims of election irregularities.

More than 140 law enforcement officers were injured in the riot. And one person was directly killed during, Ashli Babbitt, after being shot by Capitol police officer while trying to enter a secured area. 

The FBI estimated roughly 2,000 people entered the Capitol unlawfully that day, and over 1,000 people were arrested on federal crimes.

The event sparked the second impeachment of Trump and years of congressional investigations into whether he incited the riot. Shortly after returning to office for his second term, Trump pardoned all J6 offenders who took part in the storming of the Capitol.

Penn has been critical of Trump, having referred to him in a 2018 Time Magazine op-ed as “an enemy of Americans, Republicans, Democrats, Independents and every new child born. An enemy of mankind."

He also attended hearings held by the House committee investigating the riot. During those proceedings, he sat alongside Washington, D.C. Metropolitan police officers Michael Fanone and Daniel Hodges, who responded to the events and testified about their terrifying experiences.

Fanone said he was beaten and tased while responding, suffering injuries that resulted in a heart attack. Hodges also recounted the violence he faced while attempting to hold back the crowd.

At the time, Penn said he attended the hearings as “just another citizen” who wanted to see whether something would come out of it.

He is coming off his third Academy Award win, for "One Battle After Another."

 Cooper, has been nominated 12 times but has never won. Still, he is one of Hollywood’s most in-demand stars. A key role of his was in "American Sniper," in which he portrayed Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, who spent four tours in Iraq, becoming the deadliest marksman in U.S. history.

Production of the new movie is expected to begin in mid-2027, with a potential release taking place before the 2028 election.