February 15, 2025: Oscar nominee Andra Day has been cast in Bradley Cooper’s upcoming film Is This Thing On?, marking another exciting step in her acting career. Directed by Cooper, the film also stars Will Arnett, Sean Hayes, and Laura Dern, with Cooper himself taking on a supporting role. Written by Arnett and Mark Chappell, the story revolves around Alex (Arnett), a man in the midst of middle age and facing an impending divorce. As Alex navigates the unraveling of his marriage, he turns to New York’s comedy scene for a sense of purpose. Meanwhile, his wife Tess (Dern) confronts the personal sacrifices she made for their family, leading to a complex exploration of co-parenting, identity, and whether love can evolve in a new form.
Day’s casting in Is This Thing On? adds to her growing portfolio in acting, following her acclaimed debut in The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021), where she portrayed the iconic singer. Her powerful performance earned her a Golden Globe, a Grammy for Best Soundtrack, and a Best Actress Oscar nomination. Since then, she’s appeared in Exhibiting Forgiveness and The Deliverance, and is set to appear as Athena in Season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Is This Thing On? is produced by Cooper and Weston Middleton under their Lea Pictures banner, with Arnett and Kris Thykier also producing. John Bishop serves as the executive producer. Cooper has been vocal about his hands-on approach to the project, even making his debut as a B camera operator, likening the experience of filmmaking to team sports, where every detail and role is crucial to the success of the project.
This film continues Cooper’s evolving journey as a director, while also bringing together an impressive ensemble of talent both in front of and behind the camera.