A movie with Kristen Wiig and Robert De Niro, directed by Sean Penn, is certainly an interesting prospect, and it looks like it's probably going to happen and they're teaming up for The Comedian, which is slated to start shooting in the spring. Written by Art Linson with Jeffrey Ross, the movie will be produced by Art Linson (Into the Wild), John Linson, Jon Kilik and Robert De Niro. Shannon Costello will be associate producing.
The film follows Jackie Burke (De Niro) is a raging comic who is past his prime. A once loved TV character in his hey day, he clings to any recognition of his former fame in the hope of reviving his now stagnant career. After being sentenced to community service for hitting an audience member in the head with his microphone, Jackie meets Harmony (Wiig), a dazzling and defiant redhead who turns his life sideways.
It's not De Niro's first brush with playing a comedian, as he was a wannabe stand-up in Scorsese's King Of Comedy, although it appears in this one he'll be more channelling Jerry Lewis' character from that movie.