Is This Thing On? was ‘never’ going to be a John Bishop biopic, says creator
If you are in the United States, the new Bradley Cooper film Is this thing on? hits theaters today (December 19). This is his third film as director – after A star is born And Maestro – but his first with real inspiration.
Those of us in the UK who are fans of the international comedy circuit probably already knew this. The story is loosely based on the life of Liverpudlian comic John Bishop, who began doing stand-up comedy after splitting from his wife.
Look on it
“No, not really. I’m sure it would make a great movie…it would make a different movie,” Chappell tells me when I ask him about a potential John Bishop biopic. “It would always have Will in it, and there was never any question of him trying to play John Bishop.
“Perversely, I regret it. I would have loved to see how it ended, but creatively it was probably the right decision.”
But why John? “It’s such a beautiful story,” Arnett adds. “I met John by chance through a mutual friend on a houseboat in Amsterdam. It’s a true story! So when he told me how he got started in stand-up and what he did in his own life, it seemed like a great story that deserved to be told.
“Mark and I started writing, then we went to Bradley. When I sent him the script, he said he wanted to direct it and he came to work on it with us. Bradley took us in such an incredible new direction.”
Unfortunately, fans in the UK and Australia will have to wait until January 30, 2026 to catch up with Bishop’s trio, but it’ll be worth it.
Honestly, this is exactly the time of year when we need something life-affirming, and I’m still thinking about it. Is this thing on? more than two months after seeing it.
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