Oh man, this has got political firestorm all over it…and I can’t wait. Deadline reports Sean Penn, who just won his third Oscar for One Battle After Another, will write and direct a movie surrounding the events of January 6th. Not only that, but Bradley Cooper is in talks for the lead role. Damn.
I shouldn’t have to tell you about what happened on January 6th 2021. That’s when the outgoing guy who was in the White House, Donald Trump, stoked the flames of rebellion by lying to his supporters that the election was stolen. Thousands of his MAGA terrorists arrived in DC for a rally, only for Trump to tell them to march on the Capitol and “fight like Hell.” Shocker, that’s what they did, injuring hundreds of police and leading to the deaths of a few of them.
This isn’t expected to be a film about the attacks, per se, but will center on a real-life Capitol officer who survived the attacks, and “an unexpected story of friendship” that unfolded. They are withholding the name of that police officer, which is probably a good idea because Trump’s goons will go after him.
The film is set up at Warner Bros., which is interesting given its new ownership. You’d think they’d be concerned about pissing off the orange pedo in the White House, but for now at least, creative independence is still in fashion.
My guess is that Penn will heavily incorporate the story of police officer Michael Fanone, who was beaten with pipes, sprayed with mace, and stunned with a taser during the attacks. Penn sat with Fanone and other officers during a House select committee hearing about the attacks. This is probably going to be a large, star-studded ensemble so expect more casting news.
