Sean Penn to Direct Film on Capitol Riot Officer

Sean Penn will direct a new film about a police officer involved in the January 6 Capitol riot. Warner Bros. announced the project on Tuesday. Following his success in “One Battle After Another,” Penn will helm the film based on his own screenplay. Bradley Cooper is in discussions to star, though no agreement is confirmed yet.

Penn and Warner Bros. have not disclosed specifics about the movie’s main character, but confirmed that he is inspired by a real person. In 2022, Penn attended the House Select Committee hearings investigating the Capitol attack. He sat alongside Metropolitan Police officers Michael Fanone and Daniel Hodges, who were involved in responding to the incident.

Fanone testified about the violent assault he faced during the riot. He was attacked, tased, and beaten while being labeled a traitor, only avoiding worse harm by mentioning his kids. The ordeal resulted in a heart attack. Hodges also shared his traumatic experience during the hearings. Penn stated he attended as an ordinary citizen interested in observing justice.

The film’s storyline centers on “an unexpected friendship.” Production is slated to begin in mid-2027. This announcement coincides with the U.S. Justice Department’s recent decision not to contest Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, a $111 billion deal that entrusts Warner Bros. to David Ellison, Paramount’s leader. Ellison, linked to former President Donald Trump, attended a recent UFC event at the White House.

Penn’s previous film, “One Battle After Another,” was highly acclaimed, securing the best picture Oscar. His role as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw earned him a third Oscar, although he skipped the ceremony to visit Ukraine.