12 Nominations And Counting: 5 Shocking New Moves Bradley Cooper Is Making In 2025

Bradley Cooper, the acclaimed actor and filmmaker, continues to solidify his status as one of Hollywood's most ambitious and versatile talents. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, Cooper is not slowing down, transitioning from his highly praised turn as Leonard Bernstein in *Maestro* to a series of new, and in some cases, surprising projects both in front of and behind the camera. The current date is December 12, 2025, and the buzz around his next directorial efforts and high-profile personal life is reaching a fever pitch. The star, who has become synonymous with intense character work and triple-threat filmmaking—acting, directing, and writing—is balancing a demanding slate of creative endeavors with his role as a father, all while maintaining a highly publicized relationship that has captured global attention. Here are the five most significant and shocking moves Bradley Cooper is making right now.

Bradley Cooper: Complete Biography and Profile

Bradley Charles Cooper is an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his ability to seamlessly transition between major comedic roles and critically acclaimed dramatic performances. He is one of the most celebrated artists of his generation, holding the distinction of being one of the most-nominated living people at the Academy Awards without a win.

• Full Name: Bradley Charles Cooper
• Date of Birth: January 5, 1975
• Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Education: Georgetown University (B.A. in English), Actors Studio Drama School (M.F.A.)
• Career Debut: *Sex and the City* (1999, TV), *Wet Hot American Summer* (2001, Film)
• Directorial Debut: *A Star Is Born* (2018)
• Major Accolades: 12 Academy Award nominations, 6 Golden Globe Award nominations, 1 Tony Award nomination.
• Notable Relationships: Jennifer Esposito (m. 2006; div. 2007), Irina Shayk (partner 2015-2019), Gigi Hadid (partner 2023-present)
• Children: Lea De Seine Shayk Cooper (b. 2017)

1. The Shocking Oscar Record: 12 Nominations and No Wins

One of the most talked-about facts surrounding Cooper's career is his extraordinary, yet frustrating, track record at the Academy Awards. As of the end of the 2024 awards season, Bradley Cooper has amassed a staggering 12 total Academy Award nominations, placing him in an elite, albeit unwanted, group of the most-nominated artists who have yet to take home a competitive Oscar.

This impressive tally spans multiple categories, highlighting his versatility: Best Actor for films like *Silver Linings Playbook*, *American Sniper*, and *Maestro*; Best Supporting Actor for *Joker*; and nominations in the Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Screenplay categories for his work as a producer and writer on films like *A Star Is Born* and *Maestro*.

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The sheer volume of his nominations—often competing against himself in different categories—demonstrates a relentless commitment to craft. His most recent directorial effort, *Maestro*, which was produced by cinematic heavyweights Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, earned him multiple nominations, further cementing his status as a modern auteur, even without the golden statue.

2. Directing an Unexpected Marital Dramedy: 'Is This Thing On?'

Following the monumental scale and intense critical scrutiny of *Maestro*, Cooper's next directorial project, *Is This Thing On?*, is a surprising pivot. Instead of another grand biopic, he is tackling a more intimate, character-driven comedy-drama.

The film, which is co-written and co-directed by Cooper, is a marital dramedy centered around the complexities of a relationship. The project is a major collaboration with his long-time friend, actor Will Arnett, and is co-written by Arnett and Mark Chappell.

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Early reports suggest the film may be semi-autobiographical, drawing inspiration from aspects of Arnett's life, including his marriage to Amy Poehler, though this remains unconfirmed. Cooper will also co-star alongside a powerhouse cast that includes Emily Blunt and Laura Dern. The film is currently slated for release later in 2025, marking a significant shift in tone from the weighty drama of his previous works.

3. Teasing a 'Terrifying' New Passion Project

Even as *Is This Thing On?* moves into production, Cooper is already deep into the writing process for his next, highly secretive endeavor. During recent public appearances, he has teased that this new script is a "terrifying" passion project that has been "burning" inside him since he finished *Maestro*.

This intense language suggests a return to the kind of ambitious, all-consuming work that defined his approach to playing Leonard Bernstein, where he spent years perfecting the performance and the film's direction. Cooper, now 50 years old, appears to be using his newfound power as a filmmaker to pursue deeply personal and challenging narratives.

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The nature of the project remains under wraps, but the use of the word "terrifying" indicates a subject matter that is emotionally or technically daunting. This commitment to pushing his own boundaries as a writer and director is a key theme in his post-*A Star Is Born* career, focusing on deep dives into the human psyche and complex artistic lives.

4. Going Public with Gigi Hadid

Beyond his professional life, Bradley Cooper's romantic life has become one of the most followed celebrity stories of the past two years. Since late 2023, Cooper has been publicly dating supermodel Gigi Hadid.

The relationship has been highly visible, with the couple frequently seen together in New York City and London, confirming their status as a major celebrity pairing. Hadid, who is 20 years Cooper's junior, is a mother herself, and the two have been noted for their low-key but established presence together.

This new, high-profile relationship follows his previous serious partnership with supermodel Irina Shayk, with whom he shares a daughter, Lea De Seine. Cooper and Shayk maintain a notably amicable co-parenting relationship, a detail often praised by fans and media alike. The balance between a highly public new romance and a stable family life with his daughter remains a central focus of his personal narrative.

5. Solidifying His Status as an Auteur and Mentor

Cooper's career trajectory has shifted decisively from an in-demand leading man (known for *The Hangover* trilogy and *Limitless*) to a respected filmmaker in the mold of his mentors, Scorsese and Spielberg. His work on *Maestro* was a masterclass in commitment, involving years of preparation, conducting lessons, and a physical transformation to portray Leonard Bernstein across decades.

By taking on projects like *Is This Thing On?* and his "terrifying" next script, Cooper is demonstrating that his future lies primarily in his role as an auteur—a writer, director, and producer who controls the creative vision. He is now actively shaping the careers of others and bringing challenging, high-quality material to the screen, focusing on character complexity over blockbuster appeal.

This deliberate choice to prioritize serious, multi-hyphenate filmmaking, even at the cost of commercial acting roles, marks his definitive move into the upper echelon of Hollywood creatives, ensuring his legacy will be defined not just by his performances, but by the films he brings to life.