Sean Penn is set to direct long-time friend Robert De Niro in the cracking sounding flick, The Comedian, reports Variety.
De Niro will play a character called Jackie Burke, a "raging comic past his prime who clings to any recognition that comes from his days as a beloved TV character as he tries to reignite his stagnant career." It's sounds like almost a companion piece to the great Martin Scorsese directed flick, Mr Saturday Night - which is probably why he was attached at some point. Kristen Wiig is also set to star, and the script was co-written by ace producer and De Niro's pal, Art Linson (check out his book What Just Happened... great memoir of his time in Hollywood so far) with comedian Jeffrey Ross.
Penn has proven himself a careful selector of material, and when he does direct a film, it's generally very good. The Jack Nicholson starring The Crossing Guard is an underrated gem. This really sounds like it could be something special...
