Will Arnett Takes the Comedy Stage in Bradley Cooper's New Film
Two actors walk into a bar... it might not be the perfect joke setup, but it's exactly how Will Arnett found himself becoming the punchline while preparing for his latest cinematic venture. The acclaimed Arrested Development star has stepped into the stand-up spotlight for Is This Thing On?, a new comedy film directed by his longtime friend Bradley Cooper.
From Screen to Stage: Arnett's Comedy Baptism
To authentically portray his character Alex Novak—a soon-to-be divorcee discovering catharsis through stand-up comedy—Arnett immersed himself in New York's comedy club scene. Despite having zero prior experience with live comedy performance, the actor took to open mic nights under his character's name, facing both triumphant moments and brutal silences.
"I bombed so hard that there weren't even crickets," Arnett recalls with his signature gravelly voice during a recent interview. "It was just silence, except for Bradley in the very back laughing. He was the only one laughing, but for different reasons."
Cooper confirms the challenging experience: "He bombed so hard it was unbelievable. We were laughing so hard. God bless him, man."
The Real-Life Inspiration Behind the Film
The film draws inspiration from British comedian John Bishop's actual experiences during his early 2000s divorce. Bishop initially attended an open mic night simply to avoid a four-pound cover charge at a Manchester comedy club, but found himself transforming personal marital struggles into successful comedic material.
"It resonated for me on a bunch of different levels, for a bunch of different reasons," Arnett explains. "The crux of it is that here was a guy who was not in touch with himself. His marriage is breaking up, and he went and did this thing, which is kind of admitting for the first time to other people—and really to himself—that this was happening."
Bishop's unexpected journey from pharmaceutical representative to celebrated comedian—including the unforgettable moment he performed marriage jokes unaware his estranged wife was in the audience—forms the emotional foundation of Cooper's cinematic exploration.
Collaborative Excellence: Cooper's Directorial Vision
While the original screenplay by Arnett and Mark Chappell focused primarily on stand-up comedy elements, Cooper's involvement shifted the emphasis toward the complex relationship between Alex and his wife Tess, portrayed with remarkable depth by Laura Dern.
"Before Bradley came on we were struggling, writing much more of a romantic comedy, and Bradley helped us really go for it and dive in deeper," Arnett reveals. "And Laura is such a phenomenal artist. She wanted Tess to be this really strong, formidable character, and make her this retired athlete who's got a lot of vigour. That just changed everything and really helped the dynamic."
A Dramatic Departure for Arnett
This project represents a significant departure for Arnett, best known for comedic roles in films like Blades of Glory and as the voice of Batman in the Lego movies. Cooper championed his friend's dramatic capabilities throughout the production process.
"When I pitched it to Searchlight, it was like, 'I have nuclear power in Will Arnett and if you just let me do it, this guy is going to kill it'," Cooper discloses. "It's almost, in some ways, like introducing Will Arnett. I just felt like the guy that I've known for years, if we could see that on screen, we would have the potential of making something really great."
Arnett acknowledges the challenge: "That was the assignment, you know, and it wasn't easy. I'll say that it was a real challenge, and there were plenty of days where I didn't know if I could do it, to be honest."
The Therapeutic Power of Comedy
While the film explores how stand-up comedy served as an unexpected emotional outlet for Bishop's character, Arnett stops short of endorsing it as a replacement for professional therapy.
"No. Just because that's the lawyer in me speaking," he laughs. "But I think that there is something to opening yourself up and trying something that's outside of your comfort zone. Being open and really honest about where you're at in front of a room full of strangers, because they don't have any context for it, so they're not going to judge you in the same way."
The actor reflects on the transformative nature of the experience: "What's interesting is when you're done with that experience you kind of feel impervious to anything afterwards, because you're like, 'Well, I've just been through the worst thing—I've just been through total rejection by 50 people all at once, so I'm OK'."
A Celebrated Collaboration
Arnett and Cooper's 25-year friendship provided a solid foundation for their professional collaboration on this project. "I've had a front row seat to Bradley's success," Arnett notes. "We've been friends for 25 years, and it's been amazing to watch him grow, not just as an actor, but as a filmmaker."
The resulting film blends genuine comedic moments—often at Alex's expense—with poignant observations about relationships, personal growth, and the unexpected paths to self-discovery. Is This Thing On? arrives in Australian cinemas on February 5, offering audiences a unique blend of laughter and emotional depth from this talented ensemble.
