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Who's Philip Seymour Hoffman’s son Cooper? Fans can't wait to 'stan' star of Paul Thomas Anderson's new movie

Cooper Hoffman, son of late Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, has been cast as a child actor in Paul Thomas Anderson's untitled coming-of-age film set in the 1970s

There’s some good news coming in from Hollywood. Cooper Hoffman, son of late Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, has been cast in Paul Thomas Anderson's untitled coming-of-age film set in the 1970s. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cooper is playing the child actor on whom the story is focused on. It is reported the film will have multiple storylines and is set in the San Fernando Valley. The cast includes Bradley Cooper. However, Cooper will be the lead of the movie.

Along with Cooper, singer-songwriter Alana Haim will also be making her big-screen debut. Alana, along with older sisters Este and Danielle, is part of the band Haim. Alana has previously worked with Anderson in some music videos including those for tracks ‘Summer Girl’ and ‘Little of Your Love’, as per The Hollywood Reporter. According to IndieWire, ‘Uncut Gems’ director Benny Safdie is also part of the cast.

The film is written and will be produced by Anderson under his banner Ghoulardi Film Company, along with Sarah Murphy, as per The Hollywood Reporter. As per the report, the project has moved to MGM from Focus Features and is now being filmed on location in the San Fernando Valley. MGM is yet to comment on the casting. Anderson and Philip Seymour have collaborated in a number of films. Their professional relationship began with Anderson’s 1996 feature debut ‘Hard Eight’, and went on with movies such as ‘Boogie Nights’, ‘Punch Drunk Love’, ‘Magnolia’ and ‘The Master’.

Who is Cooper Hoffman?

Cooper’s father Phillip Seymour was found dead in 2014 in the bathroom of his Manhattan apartment by playwright and screenwriter David Bar Katz. The Oscar winner was 46. Cooper was 10 at that time, according to ABC News. The report states that Philip Seymour was a hands-on father. According to a CNN report, he allegedly died of mixed drug intoxication and as per the medical examiner's office, the death was ruled an accident. 

He was known to be extremely private about his personal life. According to a ABC report, he told The Independent in 2012 that, “Somebody wanted me to talk about my personal life. I'd rather not because my family doesn't have any choice. If I talk about them in the press, I'm giving them no choice. So I choose not to.” For 14 years, he was in a relationship with costume designer Mimi O'Donnell. They had met in 1999 when they were both working on the ed play ‘In Arabia We'd All Be Kings’. Together, they had three kids – Cooper, Tallulah, and Willa. 

While a few reports had suggested that the actor and O'Donnell separated, O'Donnell had clarified that they were committed to each other and he had moved out of their home to a nearby apartment to shield their children due to his occasional substance abuse relapses. In a 2017 Vogue interview, O’Donnell opened up and said, “We both felt that some boundaries would be helpful, and tearfully decided that Phil should move into an apartment around the corner. It helped us maintain a little distance but allowed us all to be together as much as possible—he still walked the kids to school, and we still had family dinners.”

As reported by ABC, the actor named O'Donnell as the executrix of the will, and Emily Ziff, Hoffman's longtime producer friend, as her successor or substitute. He also said that O'Donnell's sister was to take custody of Cooper if O'Donnell were to predecease him. In his will he had specified, that it was his “strong preference and desire but not direction” that his son inherit the condominium he owned in Manhattan. At the time of his death, his family was staying in the condo. He further stated that when Cooper takes ownership of the house, he hoped Cooper would “refrain from selling such residence and instead to lease the residence so that he will be able to provide himself with a rental income for as long as he deems necessary.”

The late actor also wished Cooper be brought up in New York City, Chicago or San Francisco. The report quotes this statement as, “If my guardian cannot reside in any of these cities, then it is my strong desire, and not direction, that my son, Cooper Hoffman, visit these cities at least twice per year throughout such guardianship. The purpose of this request is so that my son will be exposed to the culture, arts and architecture that such cities offer.”

Twitter reacts to Cooper's casting

After the news broke of Cooper being cast as the lead, one user said, "Cooper Hoffman is the only nepotist casting that I will ever vouch for."

Another said, "Intriguing in a good or bad way? Looks very promising to me; Bradley Cooper, Alana Haim, Benny Safdie and now Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Cooper."

One wrote: "I can't wait to start stanning Cooper Hoffman."

Another said, "This is pretty cool. The son of the late great Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Cooper Hoffman, has been cast as the lead in Paul Thomas Anderson's new film, which is currently filming in the San Fernando Valley."

Another said, "This movie has jumped to my most anticipated. BENNY SAFDIE. ALANA HAIM. COOPER HOFFMAN. How obscure yet talented can this cast get, PTA?"

One stated, "Yeah broke my social media detoux to declare this is beautifully heartwarming. Cooper carrying on his dads legacy. Genuinely touched by this. #PaulThomasAnderson #CooperHoffman #PhilipSeymourHoffman #MovieNews"