A release date has been announced for Bradley Cooper’s upcoming film, Is This Thing On?
Cooper serves as both writer and director for Is This Thing On?, a new film centered on a stand-up comedian navigating a divorce. The cast includes Will Arnett (from Arrested Development), Laura Dern (from Jurassic Park), Bradley Cooper himself, and others. The movie is set to premiere in limited theaters across the United States on December 18, 2025, via Searchlight Pictures. A broader theatrical release is expected to follow, though specific details have not yet been disclosed.
According to the official synopsis, the story follows Alex (Will Arnett), who faces middle age and an impending divorce as his marriage quietly unravels. While seeking new purpose in the New York comedy scene, he navigates co-parenting and personal identity. Meanwhile, Tess (Laura Dern) reflects on the sacrifices she made for their family, prompting questions about love’s potential to take new forms. Cooper and Arnett co-wrote the screenplay with Mark Chappell and also serve as producers, alongside Weston Middleston and Kris Thykier. The cast is rounded out by Andra Day, Amy Sedaris, Sean Hayes, Christine Ebersole, Ciarán Hinds, and Scott Icenogle.
This isn’t Cooper’s first foray into directing. He made his feature film debut in 2018 with A Star Is Born, a remake of the 1937 romantic drama starring Lady Gaga. The film won the Oscar for Best Original Song (“Shallow”) and received seven additional nominations.
In 2023, Cooper directed Maestro, a biopic about Leonard Bernstein. The film garnered seven Oscar nominations but did not win any awards.
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