Award-winning actor and filmmaker Sean Penn is slated to direct a new feature film centred on a police officer who was present during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot in Washington D.C. Warner Bros. confirmed the project this week, with Penn also penning the screenplay for the as-yet untitled production. Reports suggest that acclaimed actor Bradley Cooper is currently in negotiations to star, though a final agreement has yet to be reached.
The film's protagonist is based on a real individual, though their identity has not been disclosed by representatives for Penn or Warner Bros. This marks a significant return to directing for Penn, whose previous directorial work includes critically acclaimed films like 'Into the Wild'. His recent acting role in 'One Battle After Another' saw him win his third Oscar for his portrayal of Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw, a racist military zealot, although he notably skipped the ceremony to visit Ukraine.
Penn’s interest in the Capitol events is well-documented. He attended the 2022 House Select Committee hearings investigating the attack, where he was observed alongside Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police officers Michael Fanone and Daniel Hodges. Both officers provided harrowing testimonies about their experiences during the riot, with Fanone recounting being 'grabbed, beaten, tased' and suffering a heart attack during the assault. Penn stated at the time that he was attending 'just another citizen' to observe and seek justice.
Described as a story about 'an unexpected friendship', the film is anticipated to begin production in mid-2027. This announcement comes shortly after the U.S. Justice Department indicated it would not challenge Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The substantial £88 billion (US$111 billion) deal, agreed in February, would place the Warner Bros. film studio under the leadership of David Ellison, Paramount’s chief executive. Ellison and his father, Oracle founder Larry Ellison, are known for their close ties to former President Donald Trump.
For UK audiences, while details on a specific release date or streaming availability are still distant, major Warner Bros. films typically find their way to UK cinemas and eventually to platforms such as Sky Cinema, Amazon Prime Video, or NOW. Penn's films, often politically charged and dramatic, have a history of resonating with British audiences, as evidenced by critical acclaim and BAFTA nominations for past works.