Sean Penn Directing 'The Comedian' With Robert De Niro, Kristen Wiig

For the first time since "Into The Wild," Sean Penn is slipping back into the director's chair.

The two-time Oscar winning actor will helm "The Comedian," FilmNation Entertainment announced on Thursday, reuniting with his "Into The Wild" producer Art Linson to direct Robert De Niro and Kristen Wiig in the story of a very unusual relationship.

De Niro will play Jackie Burke, "a raging comic who is past his prime." Desperate to return to the spotlight, he is sentenced to perform community service after hitting an audience member with his microphone, and it is there that he meets Wiig, who plays Harmony, "a dazzling and defiant redhead who turns his life sideways."

At first glance, it sounds like a distant followup of "The King of Comedy," the Martin Scorsese-directed film in which De Niro played Robert Pupkin, an aspiring comedian who stalks down a late night talk show host. De Niro has mixed drama and comedy in the past decade or so, with the Focker movies dashed in with actioners such as "Righteous Kill," "The Killer Elite," and "Limitless." As for Wiig, she's been one of the hottest commodities in Hollywood since her mega hit "Bridesmaids" took theaters by storm this spring; she'll next star in "Imogen," a drama that she's producing.

Penn has been balancing a career in film and activism; he consulted with Hugo Chavez on freeing American hostages in Iran and has long been involved in Haiti relief, while also starring in "The Tree of Life," "This Must Be The Place" and the upcoming "Gangster Squad."

Comments

[Scott FrazierMaskiell]

08:02 AM on 10/28/2011

It's "Rupert Pupkin".

[mreagle50]

07:14 AM on 10/28/2011

penn is a traitor to this country and should be jailed for treason. Deniro must be desperate to let this worm direct him in a movie.

[Scott FrazierMaskiell]

08:04 AM on 10/28/2011

You go help folks in New Orleans after Katrina for a year and then you can talk.

[Flying Sparkz1]

01:27 PM on 11/21/2011

If being compassionate and outspoken against injustice is treason, I'm proud to be a traitor. The USA was founded by traitors.

[wanglog]

06:18 AM on 10/28/2011

i too thought it was a rehash of king of comedy, which remains in my top 10 films ever. that film is one for the ages!

[butchcliff]

06:02 AM on 10/28/2011

Penn is a good director. DeNiro needs no introduction and Wiig is up and coming. Thought of King of Comedy right away til I read the full story. This should be very good considering all involved.

[rwich]

12:48 AM on 10/28/2011

I don't like sean penn!!!

[Scott3843]

06:35 AM on 10/28/2011

We'll alert the media.

[ttykes]

12:25 AM on 10/28/2011

It was Rupert Pupkin. Not Robert.

[Norma Jean Bley]

11:31 PM on 10/27/2011

Wow!!! Sounds like a great movie and anxious to see it....Go Robert Go!!! Soooo very talented and can just as easily play comedy and drama....In good capable hands with Sean thats for sure!!!!

[Cye]

10:24 PM on 10/27/2011

I love Sean Penn as an actor. He just keeps getting better with age.

[shermanbearings]

09:16 PM on 10/27/2011

i couldn't care less for penn or dinero.they both suck.after all they are professional liars.they like to pretend they are someone else.

[Cye]

10:20 PM on 10/27/2011

Yes but for the most part, their pretence is harmless. They're just trying to tell a story.

Besides, its not like people don't know they're acting when they watch them. Its a strange kind of "lying" when everybody knows about it up front.

[Scott3843]

06:38 AM on 10/28/2011

I like both Penn and DeNiro more than I like poor grammar, punctuation, spelling, bad sentence structure and pointless posts.

[kentusm]

07:40 PM on 10/27/2011

Penn couldn't direct his way out of a paper bag... Another liberal movie I don't have to see...

[Scott3843]

06:41 AM on 10/28/2011

Preposterous. Clearly, he CAN and HAS directed and will continue to do so. What films have you directed? This movie sounds like it has absolutely NOTHING to do with liberal or conservative issues. Why such hate when this film hasn't even been made yet? Closed-mindedness reigns supreme with some HuffPosters.

[kinogod]

08:40 PM on 10/27/2011

This sounds absolutely nothing like King Of Comedy and more like a moment of now autobiographical take on Penn's real life transformation by the new young activist woman in his life. Because of this personal connection, I bet it will be good. into The Wild was brilliant. I wish him well.

[robbor]

07:52 PM on 10/27/2011

No!!!!!!!

[kinogod]

08:41 PM on 10/27/2011

Even though I don't agree with your post, it's a perfect funny retort to the aeech pee headline of "Yes.". If I knew how to use these buttons I would give you some kinda medal.

[Joanne Pugliese]

07:16 PM on 10/27/2011

Sounds like DeNiro is desperate-Sean Penn directing? DeNiro is a great actor-this sounds so beneath him-he use to star with people like Meryl Strep now he is staring with SNL comedieans?

[MikeG2008]

04:28 PM on 10/27/2011

Looking forward to this. Sounds like a great role for De Niro, Kristen Wiig is a major talent, and Sean Penn is a strong director of actors (as well as one of our greatest film actors himself). I hope this turns out to be a return to the artistic edge for De Niro! I'm a fan, and it would be great for him to have a late career renaissance in compelling, adventurous roles again.

[jumpinjohn011]

07:54 PM on 10/27/2011

To bad he's not a good American. How's he have time in between hanging out with dictators?

[counter-attack]

11:46 PM on 10/27/2011

Good American? Lol! Yes Mrs.Cleaver

[Daws]

04:52 PM on 10/27/2011

I can't complain about seeing more of Kristen. She's become one of my faves. Was delighted to see she made some cameos in Bored to Death (just now watching the series) and her alcoholic character had me doubled over!