Bradley Cooper's highly anticipated feature film, "Is This Thing On?", has secured a prime release slot during the holiday season, courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. Slated to premiere at the prestigious New York Film Festival on October 10, the movie will then illuminate theaters nationwide on December 19. The star-studded cast includes Will Arnett, Laura Dern, Cooper himself, Andra Day, Sean Hayes, Amy Sedaris, and Ciarán Hinds.
"Is This Thing On?" revolves around Alex (played by Arnett) and Tess (embodied by Dern), whose journey through divorce becomes intertwined with Alex's transformation into a confessional stand-up comedian in bustling New York City. Inspired by the life of British comedian John Bishop, the film promises a heartfelt and humorous exploration of life's unexpected turns.
Cooper, who also directed the film, co-wrote the script alongside Arnett and Mark Chappell. The producing team comprises Cooper, Arnett, Weston Middleton, and Kris Thykier. This project marks Cooper's return to the director's chair following the acclaimed "Maestro" in 2023, for which he not only co-wrote and starred but also garnered seven Oscar nominations, including nods for his acting and screenplay.
Having made a cameo appearance in this summer's "Superman" directed by his "Guardians of the Galaxy" helmer James Gunn, Cooper first demonstrated his directorial prowess with the 2018 hit "A Star Is Born." Arnett's recent credits include "Next Goal Wins" and a voice role in the series "Twisted Metal," while Dern will soon be seen alongside George Clooney and Adam Sandler in Noah Baumbach's upcoming Netflix film, "Jay Kelly."
Speaking to Vanity Fair about "Is This Thing On?," Cooper revealed, "This movie is not about a midlife crisis; it's a midlife catharsis. Sometimes, you wake up and realize you've lost your way, your guiding principles, and that takes a heavy toll on those around you."
Vanity Fair was the first to break the news about the film's release date.
