Summary

• Bradley Cooper's success in directing serious dramas makes him the perfect candidate to revive The Hangover franchise.
• Cooper's attachment to The Hangover 4 would greatly increase its chances of being made, given his directorial achievements.
• Directing Hangover 4 would allow Cooper to showcase a new side of his directing abilities and demonstrate his versatility as a filmmaker.

With two critically acclaimed dramas under his belt, Bradley Cooper is the ideal candidate to direct the next installment in one comedy franchise. Gallons of charisma and the Hollywood good looks to match quickly qualified Bradley Cooper as ideal leading actor material. Cooper got his start in comedy projects like Sex and The City and the 2001 cult classic Wet Hot American Summer, but his true breakthrough came with 2009’s The Hangover, which saw Cooper wield his roguish charm as the sleazy yet likable Phil.

While Cooper has maintained his focus on comedy through roles like Rocket Raccoon in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and a small yet memorable role in Licorice Pizza, the actor seems to have pivoted his attention towards prestige drama. Two of Cooper’s biggest recent starring roles have been in major dramas which he also directed. As a filmmaker, Cooper is seeing considerable buzz, but he hasn’t lost sight of the franchise that made his name; in fact, the star himself may be the perfect person to revive it.

Bradley Cooper's Hangover 4 Interest Means He Should Direct The Movie

Having recently stated that he would return to star in The Hangover 4 in an instant, Cooper unwittingly made a convincing pitch for himself as the sequel’s director. Cooper itted that the trilogy’s director, Todd Phillips, is unlikely to return for a fourth film. Phillips’ commitment to Joker and the Joker: Folie à Deux speak to a general pivot away from comedy movies and into serious, dramatic filmmaking. Cooper, on the other hand, is quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s most exciting new directors.

The Hangover trilogy has a combined box office of over $1.4 billion.

Having directed the Oscar-winning A Star is Born in 2018 and followed it up with the critically acclaimed Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro, Cooper’s director attachment to The Hangover 4 would go a long way to getting the film made. The actor-filmmaker is no stranger to directing himself in a starring role, meaning he wouldn’t need to step away from performing duties to make the sequel. What’s more, Cooper has expressed sincere fondness for his fellow Hangover stars, making him one of the only directors who stands a chance of collaborating with the Hangover cast as successfully as Todd Phillips did.

Hangover 4 Can Let Bradley Cooper Show A New Side Of His Direction

Directing a Hangover 4 would be a great opportunity for Bradley Cooper to broaden his horizons as a director. The filmmaker’s first two feature films were both serious music dramas with prestige overtones. If Cooper wants to demonstrate his versatility, the winning formula of the Hangover movies is a great place to start. It bears mentioning that Cooper is currently slated to direct and star in Is This Thing On? with Will Arnett. The film, co-written by Arnett, is probably a comedy. Nevertheless, The Hangover 4, with its beloved cast and a decade of anticipation, is likely the superior vehicle for Bradley Cooper’s comedy directorial debut.