Sean Penn to direct

Sean Penn has signed up to direct Robert De Niro’s new movie about a bitter, ageing stand-up.

Martin Scorsese was reported to be directing The Comedian – prompting comparisons with the 1983 classic The King Of Comedy However, the New York Post reports that Penn has now landed the job.

De Niro’s character is said to be an insult comic described as ‘Don Rickles meets Joan Rivers’.

It has been written by Fight Club producer Art Linson, and production is due to start in New York next year.

Published: 15 Jun 2011