Bradley Cooper and Steven Spielberg are teaming up to create a new film for Warner Bros. based on the original “Bullitt” crime thriller film. 

Deadline reported this week that Cooper will be playing the San Francisco police officer originated by Steve McQueen in the 1968 classic that was directed by Peter Yates. Spielberg and Cooper will also be producing the new film along with Kristie Macosko Krieger. Josh Singer will be the scriptwriter, and McQueen’s son Chad and granddaughter Molly are listed as executive producers.

The sources quoted by Deadline say this will not be a remake of the original film but a new idea based on the character Frank Bullitt, the nemesis of mob bosses in the California city. The vintage “Bullitt” movie grossed $42 million, a tenfold return on its budget of only $4 million. It was also noted for its iconic car-chase scene, with McQueen doing stunts in a souped-up Ford Mustang.

This is not the first time Spielberg and Cooper will have tried to collaborate on a project. Some years back, Spielberg was hoping to direct Cooper in “American Sniper,” but Clint Eastwood ultimately directed that film. Another close call came with “Maestro,” a biopic about conductor Leonard Bernstein. Spielberg had hoped to wave the baton on that one, too, but stepped aside in favor of Cooper, who is wearing several hats: director, star, co-writer, and producer. “Maestro,” currently in post-production, will be released by Netflix in 2023.

Spielberg’s current directorial project, the semi-autobiographical film known as “The Fabelmans,” opened earlier this month, featuring Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, and Gabriel LaBelle. Cooper made his directorial debut with “A Star is Born,” which prompted Spielberg to step aside as “Maestro” director. Cooper will also be voicing Rocket Raccoon in next year’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3″ and in this year’s “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special” for Disney+.

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