‘Is This Thing On?’: First Image Teases the Next Bradley Cooper Directorial Starring Will Arnett in a Rare Dramatic Role!! Check It Out!!

Bradley Cooper is back with another directorial feature, Is This Thing On, which marks his third film as a director after A Star is Born and Maestro. The movie stars Will Arnett and Laura Dern and is inspired by the true story of British comedian John Bishop. While most details about the project are kept tightly under wraps till now. It’s been announced that the movie will make its world premiere at The New York Film Festival’s closing night.

To mark the occasion, Searchlight Pictures has unveiled the first look at the film with an image featuring Arnett. The Arrested Development actor is seen standing in a comedy club, the perfect way to introduce the movie’s tone and setting. While the image gives nothing away, it is certainly intriguing to see Arnett as an aspiring comedian.

What to Expect From ‘Is This Thing On’?

Bradley Cooper's IS THIS THING ON?, starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern, is the official Closing Night selection of the 63rd New York Film Festival. @TheNYFF #IsThisThingOn #NYFF63

Photo by Jason Mcdonald pic.twitter.com/SilrSPv4XZ

— Searchlight Pictures (@searchlightpics) July 30, 2025

The movie follows Alex (Arnett) and Tess (Dern), a married couple who have reached an amicable end to their marriage, with two kids. The breakup marks the beginning of a midlife crisis and begins the “awkward stage of figuring out how to live separately while raising two boys and maintaining their friendships.” Dealing with their situation, Alex makes a dramatic career pivot to become a confessional stand-up comedian in New York City’s West Village, where he finds a new purpose and community.

The movie, which was shot in New York, has a very interesting premise; nonetheless, it’s not clear the what extent the real-life events have inspired it. With A Star is Born also starring Lady Gaga, Cooper had a fantastic directorial debut as the movie earned a 90 percent critics’ approval on Rotten Tomatoes and eight Oscar nominations. In 2023, Cooper returned with Maestro, co-starring Carey Mulligan, which earned a 78 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating and seven Oscar nominations. So, for Copper’s fans, the expectation from Is This Thing On is high. He has proven his mettle, with the first two features showcasing a command of human emotions as well as subtle nuances that bring his characters to life. And with credits like the Hangover franchise and Silver Linings Playbook, his sense of comedic timing is impeccable.

Along with Arnett as Alex, Laura Dern as Tess, two power-packed actors in the lead, the movie has a stellar cast, including Cooper as Alex’s best friend Arnie, along with Sean Hayes, Andra Day, Amy Sedaris, Christine Ebersole, Ciarán Hinds, Chloe Radcliffe, Peyton Manning, and James Tom, among many others.