Sean Penn developing Jan. 6 Capitol riot drama with Bradley Cooper in talks to star

Sean Penn is developing an untitled Warner Bros. drama centered on the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot, with Bradley Cooper in talks to play the lead role, according to multiple reports.

The project is still in development, and Cooper has not formally signed on. AP reported that Penn is attached to direct a film about a police officer’s experience during the attack, while other outlets described the story as involving an unexpected friendship.

What is confirmed

Penn is set to write and direct the film. The reported studio is Warner Bros., and the movie is being described as a real-person drama rather than a broad ensemble account of the riot.

AP also reported that the film is expected to begin production in mid-2027.

Why it is drawing attention

The Jan. 6 attack remains one of the most politically sensitive events in recent U.S. history, which makes any dramatic treatment likely to face scrutiny from audiences and critics alike.

That sensitivity is heightened by Penn’s profile. He attended the House Jan. 6 committee hearings in 2022 as a civilian observer, and he has a track record of directing politically charged character dramas.

Cooper’s possible involvement would add extra star power, but his participation remains unresolved for now.

What comes next

The key questions are whether Warner Bros. will formally announce the project, whether Cooper closes a deal, and how the film ultimately frames the police-officer story at the center of the script.

For now, the project sits in the early stages: announced through reporting, backed by major talent, but still without a final cast or title.