Har har!
Photo: Jason McDonald/Searchlight Pictures

Bradley Cooper directed a movie about humongous pop stars followed by one movie about an iconic classical musician. What’s next? Middling stand-up comedy, of course. His upcoming film, Is This Thing On?, sounds like Marriage Story meets Lenny — if the artists depicted in both those movies were approximately 60 percent less talented. Will Arnett stars as a middle-aged man who starts performing stand-up comedy to process his divorce. Arnett came up with the idea after meeting British comedian John Bishop at a party and hearing his real-life divorce story, per Vanity Fair. He then took the idea to his longtime friend Cooper (they met through Cooper’s Wet Hot American Summer co-star and Arnett’s ex-wife, Amy Poehler), while he was in production on Maestro, and Cooper agreed to co-write and direct the film. The result? A hopefully great movie about just-okay stand-up during a midlife crisis. Below, find everything we know so far about the upcoming movie that Cooper calls “midlife catharsis.”

Searchlight Pictures released the film’s first images on August 21. The film follows a couple from the beginning of their divorce as Alex (Arnett) turns to stand-up comedy to release his pent-up feelings. In the photo release, there are multiple shots of the primary couple arguing, a picture of Arnett onstage, and one photo in which you can see behind the scenes, with director Cooper in the shot as well, operating a camera. It was Cooper’s first time as a director also working as a camera operator.

Here’s a first look at Bradley Cooper’s IS THIS THING ON? starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern. Premiering at #NYFF63, in select theaters December 19th. #IsThisThingOn pic.twitter.com/pEJRzBSeGt

— Searchlight Pictures (@searchlightpics) August 21, 2025

Bradley Cooper’s IS THIS THING ON? starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern. Premiering at #NYFF63, in select theaters December 19th. #IsThisThingOn pic.twitter.com/ZkECTuqpw8

— Searchlight Pictures (@searchlightpics) August 21, 2025

The movie stars Will Arnett as the comedian divorcee, Alex, and Laura Dern as his soon-to-be-ex wife, a former Olympic-level volleyball player named Tess. Notably, Alex is not that good at comedy — the point of the art form in the movie is that stand-up still gives Alex a space to process what he’s never processed before. “Will’s the funniest guy you’ll ever meet in a room,” Cooper told Vanity Fair. “And for him to play a guy who’s not really good at stand-up and just sort of working his way, that was incredible to behold.”

And just because Cooper’s directing the film doesn’t mean he can’t still be in it. He’ll play Alex’s best friend Arnie, and in the first-look images, he can be seen in character with a very Jackson Maine–esque hat. Tess’s best friend, Christine, meanwhile, will be played by Oscar nominee Andra Day. Other people reported to be featured in the film in yet-unnamed roles include Amy Sedaris, Arnett’s Smartless co-host Sean Hayes, Ciarán Hines, and Peyton Manning.

Is This Thing On? will premiere at the New York Film Festival as the fest’s Closing Night feature on October 10. Notably, the movie just finished filming four months ago, and Cooper is currently racing to edit it in time for the premiere. Those who can’t make it to New York for that will be able to see the movie when it is released in theaters on December 19. And BCoops, if you’re reading this, get back to work!

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