Sean Penn is in his Place

Sean Penn in talks for Paolo Sorrentinos “This Must Be the Place”

Sean Penn is in talks to star in “This Must Be the Place,” a film that will mark the English-language feature debut of Italian filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino.


Penn would play a wealthy rock star who becomes bored in his retirement and takes on the quest of finding his father’s executioner, an ex-Nazi war criminal who is a refugee in the U.S.


While conversations about financing are just getting under way, sources said Penn and Sorrentino have made the commitment to work together on the project, pending the completion of his previous film commitments that include “The Three Stooges,” the MGM comedy to be directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly and star Penn, Jim Carrey and Benicio Del Toro; Universal/Imagine drama “Cartel,” to be helmed by Asger Leth; and “Fair Game.” That Doug Liman-directed drama about outed CIA agent Valerie Plame has just gotten under way, with Penn and Naomi Watts starring for River Road.