Don't Look Up Director Adam McKay Courts Controversy for Producing Movie About Capitol Attack

Following the uproar over his most recent film, Don't Look Up, Adam McKay has sparked a new online debate with his recently announced film about the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol building.

J6 will be directed by Billy Ray, with McKay producing, according to Deadline. Ray was on the ground in DC in the days after the attack, interviewing witnesses from both sides.

J6 to Recount Capitol Assault Events

The dramatic events, often regarded as the greatest domestic attack on American soil since 9/11, undoubtedly provide immense movie potential, therefore a big screen adaption seemed unavoidable.

“Billy has written a screenplay that is not only harrowing and terrifying but is sure to become the definitive cinematic document on that gut-wrenching day,” McKay said in a statement.

However, based on the online reaction to the announcement, some fans are still not ready for Hollywood's interpretation of an event that was collectively horrific for a huge portion of the country. People also appear to be jaded of McKay's particular kind of satire, which turned off a lot of people after the release of Don't Look Up.

While the tone of this film is unlikely to be anything like that of Don't Look Up, McKay is very effective at controversial, on-the-spot filmmaking, and has been known to engage with the buzz generated by his films.

What to Expect from Adam McKay and Billy Ray’s J6

Ray, who is best known for writing the well-received Showtime miniseries The Comey Rule, has written and will helm J6.

To be fair, it appears that Ray has done his homework when it comes to research. He went to Washington, D.C. within days of the siege, and "interviewed a number of key principles when memories were raw and fresh," according to Deadline, including a few of the first-responders who defended the Capitol. Michael Fanone, one of these officers, consulted on the script throughout the process.

The project was initially intended to be a limited series, but Ray condensed the original 300-page script into a 120-page feature script. It has yet to acquire a release date, or even confirmation that it is being made.

Whatever your feelings are about McKay, he's a very gifted filmmaker who makes daring choices, especially at this stage of his career. And, because he continually chooses to address the most pressing issues of the day, he's bound to elicit some strong reactions.