If you've been paying attention to the world of TV production, you'll notice that nostalgia is one of the most popular trends on television. As 20 and 30 somethings long for a simpler time, we've seen plenty of previously completed projects revived for new installments, delighting fans. Netflix in particular has been proactive about this lucrative trend, and one of these types of projects was 2015's Wet Hot American Summer: First Day Of Camp. A prequel TV series to the 2001 cult favorite movie Wet Hot American Summer, Netflix managed to reunite its original cast, most of which have become massively successful in the decade or so since the film came out. One of these actors is Bradley Cooper, although it looks like he might not return for the sequel series Ten Years Later.
This news comes to us from Netflix itself, which recently listed the full cast of returning and newcomer cast members for Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later. And while the cast is absolutely fantastic, Bradley Cooper's name is noticeably missing from the list of contributors. This will likely disappoint the hardcore fandom of Wet Hot, as Cooper's storyline in both the film and eventual TV show contains one of the more romantic and sweet moments of the series as a whole. Plus, the dynamic duo of he and Amy Poehler is absolutely delightful.
Reassembling the ensemble cast of Wet Hot American Summer was no doubt a difficult task for First Day Of Camp, but they managed to make it happen. Early rumors claimed that Bradley Cooper actually filmed all of his scenes in one day, due to his busy schedule as a movie star. While those claims were eventually refuted, Cooper was definitely in less of the series than some of his co-stars. But the idea of not having the character Ben in the new show would be a serious bummer.
Then again, just because Bradley Cooper isn't included in the cast list doesn't mean that he won't show up at all in Ten Years Later. I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up with a cameo role, hopefully reuniting with Michael Ian Black's Mckinley. And if the series is saving Cooper's eventually appearance as a surprise cameo, then it would make sense that he wasn't listed in the cast list.
In both Wet Hot American Summer and First Day Of Camp, Bradley Cooper plays theater enthusiast Ben. He and Amy Poehler's Susie run the theatrical productions at camp, and act like its G-D Broadway. And while Susie is trying to make their relationship more romantic, she's actually his unknowing beard. Later in the film we see Ben's real love interest in Mckinley (Michael Ian Black), and the two share a surprising love scene in the film.
Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later will be released in its entirety August 4, 2017 on Netflix. With or without Bradley Cooper.
