{TB EXCLUSIVE} Bradley Cooper Circling Roger Clemens Spec To Star And Direct

 EXCLUSIVE
〉Cooper is looking to star as Clemens in “The Rocket”.

I’m hearing that Bradley Cooper is circling to star in and direct THE ROCKET. The spec, written by Jeffrey Gelber and Ryan Belenzon, centers around the life of famed baseball legend Roger Clemens. Cooper is looking to star as Clemens in the biopic. Rather than hitting the market, I’m hearing that the spec is being packaged internally, but looks to be going to Warner Bros.

Cooper recently revealed his intent to transition into directing, and has long harbored a passion for the role. In January, it was announced that he was eyeing the long-gestating dramedy Honeymoon With Harry as his directorial debut, and was also in discussions to direct an untitled project for Warner Bros. in November. Though, depending on the outcome of those projects, The Rocket could very potentially become the directorial debut for the actor-turned-director.

Gelber and Belenzon are known for co-writing the action spec Endangered, which was set up at Lionsgate and Summit Entertainment, and the sci-fi/action spec Clarity. The two-time Hit List alums landed on both the 2012 HIT LIST and 2011 HIT LIST. The duo were also 2012 Nicholl Fellowship finalists and made the 2013 Black List and 2014 Blood List.  Gelber and Belenzon are repped by CAA and Grandview.

Clemens is considered to be one of the most dominant pitchers in major league history with 4,672 strikeouts. Known as the “rocket,” Clemens went on to become an eleven-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, with his number “21” becoming iconic to his name. The film will follow the rise of his career and the accusations of steroid abuse that led a federal grand jury at the U.S. District Court to indict Clemens on six felony counts of perjury, false accounts and obstruction of Congress. He was found not guilty on all six counts.

Cooper was most recently nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Chris Kyle in the Clint Eastwood-directed drama American Sniper. The two-time Academy Award nominee also lent his voice to the character of Rocket Raccoon in last summer’s smash hit Guardians of The Galaxy.

He’ll next star in Cameron Crowe’s romantic comedy Aloha. Cooper will also return as Rocket for Guardians of The Galaxy 2

Cooper is repped by CAA.

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Clark Allen | Associate Editor