Sean Penn Visits Paolo Sorrentino's Place

There must be something about the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle that makes traditional retirement nearly impossible. Some of rock's biggest groups, from the Rolling Stones to U2 to Guns N' Roses, push forward into the golden years. But can you blame them?

But according to Variety, This Must Be the Place, the upcoming English-language feature debut from Italian filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino, will take a look at what can happen when a rock star truly tries to leave the stage. The film’s protagonist, having grown tired of his retirement routine, embarks on a journey to find his father’s executioner, a former Nazi war criminal seeking refuge in the U.S.

Sean Penn is currently negotiating with Sorrentino to play the lead role. Sources report that Penn is committed to the job, as long as the three projects he is already signed onto—The Three Stooges, Cartel, and Fair Game—are completed on time. The film was co-written by Umberto Contarello and will be produced by Nicola Guiliano of Indigo Film and Andrea Occhipinti of Lucky Red, who also worked with Sorrentino on Il Divo.