Upcoming Bradley Cooper Movies To Keep On Your Radar
(Welcome to On Your Radar, a series where we take a look at what's next for the biggest actors and filmmakers, and why you should be excited...or not.)
Bradley Cooper is one of the hottest Oscar-nominated actors to have never taken home a trophy. I mean, seriously, how hasn't he won one yet? His phenomenal performances in "A Star is Born" and "Silver Linings Playbook" were more than worthy, and he's been in plenty of other movies besides. After making his acting debut in the raunchy comedy film "Wet Hot American Summer," Cooper has starred in a variety of Hollywood blockbusters and Oscar-nominated films. Since his breakout role in "The Hangover," we've seen him take on Thanos as Marvel's furriest hero, Rocket Raccoon, tell a modern military story in "American Sniper," and even steer "A Star is Born" — proof that he'll even make a great director.
Most recently, he starred in Guillermo del Toro's modern noir thriller, "Nightmare Alley." But what's next for the almost Oscar-winning actor? Here's every upcoming Bradley Cooper movie you should look out for.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Best known to Marvel fans as the rough-and-ready Rocket Raccoon, Cooper will return to voice the pint-sized superhero in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3." Although little is known about the film's plot, it looks as though our favorite intergalactic heroes will encounter a new face among the stars as Will Poulter joins the cast as classic "Guardians of the Galaxy" character, Adam Warlock. And that may give us a hint as to what the film will be about.
"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" sort of introduced us to Adam Warlock after Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki) unveiled his birthing pod with a rather ominous message:
"That, my child, is the next step in our evolution. More powerful. More beautiful. More capable of destroying the Guardians of the Galaxy."
Although we have no idea how it will all go down, it looks as though Adam Warlock will be taking on the Guardians. If his comic book counterpart is anything to go by, they've got a pretty gnarly fight on their hands.
"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" sees Cooper star alongside fellow Guardians Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, and Pom Kelemntieff as well as Karen Gillan, Will Poulter, Ving Rhames, and Sylvester Stallone. Production began last month, with "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" set to debut in theaters on May 5, 2023.
Thor: Love and Thunder
That's right, Bradley Cooper may be in the latest "Thor" sequel, "Thor: Love and Thunder." After taking up with the Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has become part of the Benetar's crew. But does that mean Rocket Raccoon (and Bradley Cooper) will play a part in the sequel?
It stands to reason after Thor and Rocket bonded during their away mission in "Avengers: Endgame." But there's been no official announcement about Cooper's involvement in the movie. And while actor Sean Gunn, who does the motion capture for Rocket, was spotted down under to film "Thor: Love and Thunder," that's no guarantee that the lovable Raccoon will be in the movie. After all, Gunn is also expected to portray the Ravager, Kraglin in the upcoming "Thor" sequel.
Will Rocket (and Cooper) be in the movie? For now, we'll have to wait and see. But since other "Guardians" actors have been spotted on set, I'd say it's a fair bet, at least.
"Thor: Love and Thunder" stars Chris Hemsworth as Thor, alongside Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, Russell Crowe, Jamie Alexander, Taika Waititi, Christian Bale, Chris Pratt, and Karen Gillan. Principle photography began on January 26, 2021, in Sydney, Australia, with "Thor: Love and Thunder" expected to hit theaters on July 8, 2022.
Maestro
One of two upcoming Leonard Bernstein biopics, "Maestro" sees Cooper starring as the legendary conductor, composer, and creator of the Broadway musical "West Side Story." It's been in the works since 2018, alongside a separate Bernstein biopic, "The American," starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
Which biopic proves to be superior remains to be seen, but "Maestro" is said to focus on the 30-year "complex" love story between Bernstein and his wife, Felicia. Complex doesn't quite seem to cut it, however, as Bernstein was "a gay man who got married" according to his friend and collaborator, Arthur Laurents. He was also an outspoken humanitarian, supporting civil rights and protesting the Vietnam War — elements which will surely make interesting viewing in the upcoming biopic.
"Maestro" was originally set to be directed by Steven Spielberg, but Cooper convinced the legendary director to let him take the helm instead, saying:
"I [told Spielberg], 'I always felt like I could play a conductor, but may I research the material and see if I can write it and direct it? Would you let me do that?'"
The film will star Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein with Carey Mulligan as his wife, Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein, and Jeremy Strong as John Gruen. Cooper will also direct the upcoming biopic based on a script he co-wrote with Josh Singer. Principle photography begins in May 20222, and while "Maestro" will eventually debut on Netflix, a release date has not yet been set.
Matt Helm
The long-gestating "Matt Helm" is basically Bradley Cooper's Bond. A spy thriller based on Donald Hamilton's novels, the upcoming "Matt Helm" has been in the works since 2009. It was originally set to be directed by Steven Spielberg with George Clooney attached to the leading role, but that ship has long since sailed. Now, it looks as though Bradley Cooper will star as Helm — if this project ever gets off the ground.
The last we heard, "Matt Helm" went back to the drawing board in 2018 with writer Tom Shepherd (who previously penned the story for "Dolittle") working on the screenplay. It's perhaps wishful thinking to imagine "Matt Helm" in theaters anytime soon. But the slick counter-agent would be an excellent role for Cooper.
"Matt Helm" will star Bradley Cooper as the titular spy. George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci are executive producing the movie with Steven Spielberg attached as a producer. A release date has not yet been set.
Atlantic Wall
A World War II drama about a paratrooper stuck behind enemy lines, "Atlantic Wall" has been in the works since 2016. Bradley Cooper takes the leading role as an American soldier who is cut off from his allies on the eve of D-Day.
"Atlantic Wall" began generating buzz back in 2015 after the script was featured in the 2015 Black List — a list of the year's most-liked (but unproduced) screenplays.
Here's the Blacklist logline from the time:
"A lone American paratrooper stranded behind enemy lines hours before D-Day, is tasked with delivering intelligence critical to the outcome of the war and compelled to fulfill a promise to protect the young son of a murdered ally."
"Atlantic Wall" will star Bradley Cooper, directed by Gavin O'Connor and based on a script by Zach Dean. We have no idea when the cameras start rolling. No release date has been set.