Long before they were household names, Bradley Cooper and Will Arnett first met young actors on the streets of New York, struggling to get their next audition.
More than 20 years later, in a full-circle moment, Cooper is directing Arnett (and himself) in a new film rooted in where it all began.
“We have to pinch ourselves every step of the way,” Arnett told Variety on Friday night at the closing night premiere of the 63rd New York Film Festival. “It’s a real pleasure to be able to do this together, and I appreciate how rare this is.”
“Do You Have This?” This is Cooper’s third directorial work, following 2018’s “A Star Is Born” and 2023’s “Maestro.” The film follows a man (Arnett) who, as Variety’s Owen Gleiberman writes, “steps into the existential spotlight of stand-up” while navigating an impending divorce.
This time, Cooper returns to a supporting role, rounding out a layered ensemble that also includes Laura Dern, Andra Day, Amy Sedaris, Sean Hayes, Christine Ebersole and Ciarán Hinds.
Cooper, a longtime stand-up comedy fan who calls Richard Pryor his “idol,” worked closely with Liz Friarty, general manager of the Comedy Cellar and the adjacent Olive Tree Cafe. He eventually cast Friarty to play himself in the film.
“She really was the whole authentic thing,” Cooper told Variety. “I just kept throwing everything at her: ‘How about this?’ ‘How about this?’ She was a nuclear power. ”
Will Arnett (left), Bradley Cooper, Anna Wintour and Hugh Jackman at the “Is This Sing On?” premiere.
Variety (via Getty Images)
Beneath the film’s comedic surface runs a thread of reinvention and vulnerability, themes that reflect Cooper’s own early days as an actor just finding his footing in New York. In a 2022 episode of Arnett’s podcast “SmartLess,” Cooper credited his longtime friend with providing the wake-up call that helped him overcome his battle with substance abuse.
“Will took that risk in July of 2000, for example, to have that difficult conversation with me, and that led me to decide to change my life,” Cooper said. “That was just Will Arnett. He’s the reason why.”
Asked about Cooper’s comments, Arnett recalled, “I was just a friend. Like a lot of people, I’ve been blessed with a lot of great people and friends in my life… He was able to right his ship and go where he needed to go. It was great for me just to be there and help him in any way he could.”
As for Cooper’s future schedule, Variety reported earlier this week that Cooper is in talks to co-star with Margot Robbie in the Ocean’s 11 prequel. Cooper teased that the project could be backed by Robbie’s production company LuckyChap Entertainment.
“In addition to her immense talent, her work ethic is incredible,” Cooper said. “She and her husband, Tom (Ackerley), have built a company that’s doing some really great things. It would be great to work with them both.”
Cooper remained silent on whether he would reprise his role as the Man of Steel’s Kryptonian father for the Superman sequel, which is being fast-tracked for release in the summer of 2027. But he revealed that the first thing on his watch list when he returns is the ending of season 2 of James Gunn’s Peacemaker.
“All I know is I haven’t seen the final episode yet,” Cooper said. “I can’t wait. I love that show.”
