Sarah Silverman is joining Bradley Cooper for Netflix’s Leonard Bernstein film Maestro. Cooper plays the legendary composer, and other stars have already been secured for the high-profile project. Carey Mulligan will play Bernstein’s wife Felicia, with Matt Bomer and Maya Hawke joining the ensemble cast. Maestro is being produced by Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Fred Berner, and Amy Durning. If Silverman closes a deal to star in the film, it’s believed she’ll play Berstein’s sister.
Maestro marks Cooper’s first directorial effort since A Star Is Born. Cooper also co-wrote the script with Oscar-winning Spotlight writer Josh Singer. According to Deadline‘s description, Maestro tells the complex love story of Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein, a story that spans over 30 years – from the time they met in 1946 at a party and continuing through two engagements, a 25-year marriage, and children Jamie Bernstein, Alexander Bernstein, and Nina Bernstein Simmons. Cooper worked closely alongside Bernstein’s family while developing the film, which is going into production soon.
This opportunity is a rare instance where Silverman will be committing to a dramatic role. Famously known for her comedy, Silverman showed the world her dramatic chops in Masters of Sex and director Adam Salky’s I Smile Back. She’ll star alongside Blair Underwood and Alfre Woodard in the film Viral and host the Stupid Pet Tricks series, based on the classic Letterman segment. She currently voices Ollie in The Bob’s Burgers Movie in theaters now.
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