Editing Wunka (section)

===2018–present: Professional expansion===
After reprising the role of Rocket Raccoon in ''[[Avengers: Infinity War]]'' (2018),<ref>{{cite web |last=Sciretta |first=Peter |url=https://slashfilm.com/avengers-infinity-war-cast/ |title=Which Characters Will (And Won't) Appear in 'Avengers: Infinity War' |publisher=[[/Film]] |date=January 23, 2017 |access-date=September 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619213832/http://www.slashfilm.com/avengers-infinity-war-cast/ |archive-date=June 19, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Cooper directed his first film, ''[[A Star Is Born (2018 film)|A Star Is Born]]'', a remake of the 1937 [[A Star Is Born (1937 film)|film of same name]]. Cooper starred in the film as an established singer, Jackson Maine, whose romance with a woman named Ally (played by [[Lady Gaga]]) becomes strained after her career begins to overshadow his.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lang |first1=Brent |title=First Look at Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in 'A Star Is Born' |journal=Variety |date=April 17, 2017 |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/lady-gaga-bradley-cooper-star-is-born-photo-1202032227/ |access-date=August 24, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426225059/http://variety.com/2017/film/news/lady-gaga-bradley-cooper-star-is-born-photo-1202032227/ |archive-date=April 26, 2017}}</ref> Having long aspired to direct a film, Cooper was keen on making a love story. People had warned him against directing a third remake, and he feared the film would end his directing career if it failed.<ref>{{cite magazine |title='A Star Is Born': Our intimate conversation with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper |url=https://ew.com/movies/2018/08/31/a-star-is-born-lady-gaga-bradley-cooper-interview/ |access-date=September 2, 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=August 31, 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901112537/https://ew.com/movies/2018/08/31/a-star-is-born-lady-gaga-bradley-cooper-interview/ |archive-date=September 1, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The film premiered at the [[75th Venice International Film Festival]] in August 2018, and was released worldwide in October to critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Venice: Lady Gaga on Bradley Cooper Bringing Out Her "Vulnerability" for 'A Star Is Born' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lady-gaga-acting-debut-bradley-coopers-a-star-is-born-venice-film-festival-1138897 |access-date=August 31, 2018 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831160321/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lady-gaga-acting-debut-bradley-coopers-a-star-is-born-venice-film-festival-1138897 |archive-date=August 31, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_star_is_born_2018/ |title=A Star Is Born (2018) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=October 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014154912/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_star_is_born_2018/ |archive-date=October 14, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> On Cooper's direction, [[Owen Gleiberman]] of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote that "to say that [Cooper] does a good job would be to understate his accomplishment" and that he "gets right onto the high wire".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gleiberman |first1=Owen |title=Venice Film Review: Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in 'A Star Is Born' |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/a-star-is-born-review-lady-gaga-bradley-cooper-1202922858/ |access-date=September 2, 2018 |work=Variety |date=August 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901111449/https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/a-star-is-born-review-lady-gaga-bradley-cooper-1202922858/ |archive-date=September 1, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Brian Tallerico, writing for [[RogerEbert.com]], said Cooper "does some of the best work of his career" and gives "an excellent performance", praising his singing abilities and chemistry with Gaga.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tallerico |first1=Brian |title=A Star Is Born Movie Review & Film Summary (2018) |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-star-is-born-2018 |publisher=RogerEbert.com |access-date=October 19, 2018 |language=en |date=October 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910120824/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-star-is-born-2018 |archive-date=September 10, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The film earned over $436{{nbs}}million at the box office against a production budget of $36{{nbs}}million.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Star is Born (2018) |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2164360705/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028221401/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2164360705/ |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=November 24, 2022 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref>
[[File:Star Is Born 02 (31066433638) (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Cooper at the premiere of ''[[A Star Is Born (2018 film)|A Star Is Born]]'' in 2018. He starred, co-wrote, co-produced, directed, and contributed to its [[A Star Is Born (2018 soundtrack)|soundtrack]].]]

Cooper spent nearly four years working on the project, including spending five days a week taking voice, piano, and guitar lessons for six months in preparation for the role.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hirschberg |first=Lynn |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/bradley-cooper-a-star-is-born-interview |title=Bradley Cooper on Making A Star Is Born, Against the Odds |publisher=[[W Magazine]] |date=October 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/27/movies/bradley-cooper-a-star-is-born.html |title=Bradley Cooper Is Not Really Into This Profile |first=Taffy |last=Brodesser-Akner |date=September 27, 2018 |access-date=April 4, 2019 |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330192055/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/27/movies/bradley-cooper-a-star-is-born.html |archive-date=March 30, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> He and Gaga co-wrote and produced most of the songs on the [[A Star Is Born (2018 soundtrack)|soundtrack for ''A Star Is Born'']], which she insisted they record live. Cooper undertook vocal training for 18 months to prepare, including with the help of vocal coach [[Roger Love]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Hilary |title=Bradley Cooper Calls Lady Gaga's 'A Star Is Born' Performance 'A Revelation' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8363332/bradley-cooper-interview-a-star-is-born-lady-gaga-tribeca-film-festival |access-date=September 4, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |date=April 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623220247/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8363332/bradley-cooper-interview-a-star-is-born-lady-gaga-tribeca-film-festival |archive-date=June 23, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a14326780/lady-gaga-bradley-cooper-star-is-born-photo/ |title=Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga Duet in a New 'A Star Is Born' Photo |last=Gonzales |first=Erica |date=December 6, 2017 |magazine=Harper's BAZAAR |language=en-US |access-date=January 25, 2020 |archive-date=January 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125091556/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a14326780/lady-gaga-bradley-cooper-star-is-born-photo/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The album contains elements of [[blues rock]], [[Country music|country]] and [[bubblegum pop]].<ref name="TWP"/> ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' says its lyrics are about wanting change, its struggle, love, romance, and bonding, describing the music as "timeless, emotional, gritty and earnest. They sound like songs written by artists who, quite frankly, are supremely messed up but hit to the core of the listener."<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Bliss |first1=Karen |title=Lady Gaga Praises 'A Star Is Born' Co-Star Bradley Cooper's Talents at Toronto Premiere: 'He Sings From His Soul' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8474564/lady-gaga-praises-a-star-is-born-co-star-bradley-cooper-toronto |access-date=October 19, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |date=September 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911064138/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8474564/lady-gaga-praises-a-star-is-born-co-star-bradley-cooper-toronto |archive-date=September 11, 2018}}</ref> The album's release coincided with the film's, and it contains 34 tracks, including 19 original songs. It received generally positive reviews from critics;<ref>{{cite web |title=A Star Is Born [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] by Lady Gaga |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/a-star-is-born-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/lady-gaga/details |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=October 15, 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018030059/https://www.metacritic.com/music/a-star-is-born-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/lady-gaga/details |archive-date=October 18, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Mark Kennedy of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' called it a "five-star marvel" and Ben Beaumont-Thomas of ''[[The Guardian]]'' termed it an "instant classics full of Gaga's emotional might".<ref name="TWP">{{cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Mark |title=Review: 'A Star Is Born' soundtrack is a five-star marvel |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/review-a-star-is-born-soundtrack-is-a-five-star-marvel/2018/10/04/6956aef2-c7e2-11e8-9c0f-2ffaf6d422aa_story.html |date=October 4, 2018 |access-date=October 15, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005030735/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/review-a-star-is-born-soundtrack-is-a-five-star-marvel/2018/10/04/6956aef2-c7e2-11e8-9c0f-2ffaf6d422aa_story.html |archive-date=October 5, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/oct/05/a-star-is-born-soundtrack-review-lady-gaga-bradley-cooper |title=A Star Is Born soundtrack review – instant classics full of Gaga's emotional might |last=Beaumont-Thomas |first=Ben |date=October 5, 2018 |access-date=October 15, 2018 |work=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014210839/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/oct/05/a-star-is-born-soundtrack-review-lady-gaga-bradley-cooper |archive-date=October 14, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Commercially, the soundtrack reached number one in the US, Ireland and the UK.<ref>US: {{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8479831/a-star-is-born-soundtrack-no-1-debut-billboard-200 |title=Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper's 'A Star Is Born' Soundtrack Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart |magazine=Billboard |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=October 14, 2018 |access-date=October 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014231442/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8479831/a-star-is-born-soundtrack-no-1-debut-billboard-200 |archive-date=October 14, 2018 |url-status=live}}<br>Ireland: {{cite web |title=IRMA – Irish Recorded Music Association |url=http://www.irma.ie/#chartTab2 |publisher=[[Irish Recorded Music Association]] |access-date=October 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010923075538/http://www.irma.ie/#chartTab2 |archive-date=September 23, 2001 |url-status=live}}<br>UK: {{cite web |title=Official Albums Chart Top 100 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/ |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=October 14, 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830181650/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/ |archive-date=August 30, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The record's lead single, "[[Shallow (Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper song)|Shallow]]", was released that September<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gotrich |first1=Lars |title=Hear 'Shallow,' Lady Gaga's Slow-Burning Power Ballad From 'A Star Is Born' |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/09/27/652124946/hear-shallow-lady-gaga-s-slow-burning-power-ballad-from-a-star-is-born |publisher=NPR |date=September 27, 2018 |access-date=October 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010040331/https://www.npr.org/2018/09/27/652124946/hear-shallow-lady-gaga-s-slow-burning-power-ballad-from-a-star-is-born |archive-date=October 10, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> and reached number one in the US, Australia, Ireland, Switzerland and the UK.<ref>Australia: {{cite web |url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2018/lady-gaga-and-bradley-cooper-hit-1-with-shallow |title=Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper hit No. 1 with Shallow |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |date=October 27, 2018 |access-date=October 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027101819/https://www.ariacharts.com.au/news/2018/lady-gaga-and-bradley-cooper-hit-1-with-shallow |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |url-status=live}}<br>Ireland: {{cite web |last1=White |first1=Jack |title=Official Irish Singles Chart: Lady Gaga scores her sixth Irish Number 1 single with Bradley Cooper duet Shallow |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-irish-singles-chart-lady-gaga-scores-her-sixth-irish-number-1-single-with-bradley-cooper-duet-shallow__24432/ |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=October 12, 2018 |access-date=October 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014225611/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-irish-singles-chart-lady-gaga-scores-her-sixth-irish-number-1-single-with-bradley-cooper-duet-shallow__24432/ |archive-date=October 14, 2018 |url-status=live}}<br>Switzerland: {{cite web |title=Hitparade.ch – Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper – Shallow |url=http://swisscharts.com/song/Lady-Gaga-&-Bradley-Cooper/Shallow-1799181 |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=October 16, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016212312/http://swisscharts.com/song/Lady-Gaga-%26-Bradley-Cooper/Shallow-1799181 |archive-date=October 16, 2018}}<br>UK: {{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/54373/lady-gaga-and-bradley-cooper/ |title=Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper > Full Official Chart History |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=October 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009172024/http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/54373/lady-gaga-and-bradley-cooper/ |archive-date=October 9, 2018 |url-status=live}}<br>US: {{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/bradley-cooper/chart-history/hsi/ |title=Bradley Cooper Chart History (Hot 100) |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=October 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013023151/https://www.billboard.com/music/bradley-cooper/chart-history/hot-100 |archive-date=October 13, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

For the film, Cooper received a [[National Board of Review Award for Best Director]] and two Golden Globe nominations, for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama|Best Actor in a Drama]] and [[Golden Globe Award for Best Director|Best Director]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Lewis |first1=Harry |title='Green Book' Named Best Film by National Board of Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/green-book-named-best-film-by-national-board-review-1164206 |access-date=November 28, 2018 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |date=November 27, 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127224920/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/green-book-named-best-film-by-national-board-review-1164206 |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/golden-globe-nominations-2019-1203082075/ |title=Golden Globe Nominations: Complete List |date=December 6, 2018 |work=Variety |access-date=December 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206150822/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/golden-globe-nominations-2019-1203082075/ |archive-date=December 6, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Cooper earned two [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] nominations for "Shallow": [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance|Best Pop Duo/Group Performance]] (winning the latter). The soundtrack as a whole received seven Grammy nominations across two different ceremonies.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/8489045/2019-grammy-nominees-full-list |title=Grammys 2019 Nominees: The Complete List |last=Lynch |first=Joe |access-date=December 14, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |date=December 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209194102/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/8489045/2019-grammy-nominees-full-list |archive-date=December 9, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[72nd British Academy Film Awards]], ''A Star Is Born'' received seven nominations, five of which were for Cooper: [[BAFTA Award for Best Film|Best Film]], [[BAFTA Award for Best Direction|Best Direction]], Best Actor in a Leading Role, [[BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]] and [[BAFTA Award for Best Film Music|Best Film Music]], winning only the last of these. As a result, Cooper became the first person with five nominations in a single ceremony in BAFTA's history.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The BAFTA Nominations Are In, and Bradley Cooper Just Made History |magazine=Vogue |date=January 9, 2019 |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/bafta-nominations-2019-bradley-cooper-makes-history |access-date=January 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123071450/https://www.vogue.com/article/bafta-nominations-2019-bradley-cooper-makes-history |archive-date=January 23, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Cooper was also nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor and [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/oscar-nominations-2019-list-1203112405/ |title=Oscar Nominations 2019: The Complete List |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=January 22, 2019 |access-date=January 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123013343/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/oscar-nominations-2019-list-1203112405/ |archive-date=January 23, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> He later remarked that he was "embarrassed" by his failure to gain a [[Academy Award for Best Director|directing nomination]] at the ceremony.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/02/bradley-cooper-oscars-best-director-snub |title=Bradley Cooper Felt "Embarrassed" by Oscar Best-Director Snub |last=Desta |first=Yohana |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=February 6, 2019 |language=en |access-date=February 8, 2019 |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227035916/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/02/bradley-cooper-oscars-best-director-snub |url-status=live}}</ref>

Cooper next reunited with Clint Eastwood in ''[[The Mule (2018 film)|The Mule]]'' (2018), a crime film based on the life of [[World War II]] veteran [[Leo Sharp]] in which Cooper played a [[DEA]] agent.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/clint-eastwood-bradley-cooper-mule-trailer-1202969842/ |title=Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper Reunite in Trailer for Drug Drama 'The Mule' |work=Variety |first=Dave |last=McNary |date=October 4, 2018 |access-date=October 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008075532/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/clint-eastwood-bradley-cooper-mule-trailer-1202969842/ |archive-date=October 8, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, Cooper co-produced Todd Phillips's psychological thriller ''[[Joker (2019 film)|Joker]]'', starring [[Joaquin Phoenix]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/joker-movie-cast/#images |title=Full 'Joker' Cast List Reveals Shea Whigham, Glenn Fleshler, and More |date=September 17, 2018 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |access-date=December 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918032854/http://collider.com/joker-movie-cast/#images |archive-date=September 18, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> It grossed over $1{{nbs}}billion worldwide, making it the [[List of highest-grossing R-rated films|highest-grossing R-rated film]] of all time, and earned him nominations for an Academy Award for Best Picture and a BAFTA Award for Best Film.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/13/movies/oscar-nominations-academy-awards.html |title=Oscar Nominations 2020: 'Joker' and 'Irishman' Lead the Nominees |last=Barnes |first=Brooks |work=The New York Times |date=January 13, 2020 |access-date=January 18, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114120904/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/13/movies/oscar-nominations-academy-awards.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/10/25/joker-highest-grossing-r-rated-film-ever/ |title='Joker' is now the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=November 11, 2019 |archive-date=November 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106163013/https://ew.com/movies/2019/10/25/joker-highest-grossing-r-rated-film-ever/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51013333 |title=Bafta Film Awards 2020: The nominations in full |work=BBC News |date=January 7, 2020 |access-date=January 8, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=January 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109033832/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51013333 |url-status=live}}</ref> Cooper returned as Rocket in ''[[Avengers: Endgame]]'' (2019), which briefly became the highest-grossing of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/ |title=All Time Box Office: Worldwide Grosses |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423012551/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/ |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Both of Cooper's 2021 releases{{snd}}the coming-of-age comedy drama ''[[Licorice Pizza]]'' and the psychological thriller ''[[Nightmare Alley (2021 film)|Nightmare Alley]]''{{snd}}received critical acclaim,<ref>{{cite web |title=Licorice Pizza |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/licorice_pizza |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=January 15, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115033851/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/licorice_pizza |url-status=live}}<br>{{cite web |title=Nightmare Alley |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/nightmare_alley_2021 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=January 15, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=January 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127174558/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/nightmare_alley_2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> but fared poorly at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |title=Licorice Pizza |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt11271038 |publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212183909/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt11271038/ |url-status=live}}<br>{{cite web |title=Nightmare Alley |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt7740496 |publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=January 15, 2022 |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218191119/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt7740496/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In his eight-minute role of film producer [[Jon Peters]] in [[Paul Thomas Anderson]]'s ''Licorice Pizza'', Jenelle Riley of ''Variety'' found Cooper to be a "scene-stealer". Riley wrote he "somehow manages to be both absurd and menacing. It's the rare scene that is almost too intense to watch, yet you also don't want it to end."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Riley |first1=Jenelle |title=Why Limited Screen Time Shouldn't Prevent Bradley Cooper From Being an Oscar Frontrunner for 'Licorice Pizza' |url=https://variety.com/2021/awards/awards/bradley-cooper-supporting-actor-consideration-oscar-licorice-pizza-1235131224/ |access-date=January 21, 2022 |work=Variety |date=December 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223012755/https://variety.com/2021/awards/awards/bradley-cooper-supporting-actor-consideration-oscar-licorice-pizza-1235131224/ |archive-date=December 23, 2021}}</ref> ''Nightmare Alley'', an adaption of [[William Lindsay Gresham]]'s [[Nightmare Alley (novel)|namesake novel]], cast Cooper as an ambitious carnival worker, for which he took boxing lessons and performed his first full frontal nude scene, which he found challenging. Owing to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the film took a long time to finish.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Masters |first1=Kim |title=How Bradley Cooper had to be naked emotionally and physically in 'Nightmare Alley' |url=https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-business/bradley-cooper/licorice-pizza-nightmare-alley |publisher=[[KCRW]] |access-date=January 16, 2022 |language=en |date=January 14, 2022 |archive-date=January 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116193503/https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-business/bradley-cooper/licorice-pizza-nightmare-alley |url-status=live}}</ref> Reviewing his films in 2021, critic Charles Bramesco opined Cooper gave "his most vulnerable and harrowing performance to date" in ''Nightmare Alley''.<ref name="yahoo">{{cite web |last1=Bramesco |first1=Charles |title=Bradley Cooper's Entire Career Has Been Leading Up to This Moment |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/bradley-coopers-entire-career-leading-134925097.html |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |access-date=January 16, 2022 |date=December 23, 2021 |archive-date=January 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116193502/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/bradley-coopers-entire-career-leading-134925097.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Cooper garnered a fourth nomination for the Academy Award for Best Picture for producing the film.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moreau |first1=Jordan |last2=Grantham-Philips |first2=Wyatte |title=Oscar Nominations 2022: The Complete List |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/2022-oscar-nominations-list-nominees-1235172582/ |access-date=February 8, 2022 |work=Variety |date=February 8, 2022 |archive-date=February 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208171926/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/2022-oscar-nominations-list-nominees-1235172582/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Cooper voiced Rocket in the 2022 [[Disney+]] series ''[[I Am Groot]]'' and special ''[[The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special]]'', and did so again in the 2023 film ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chapman |first=Wilson |date=July 22, 2022 |title='I Am Groot' Drops Trailer, Renewed For Five Additional Episodes |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/i-am-groot-trailer-vin-diesel-1235279375/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722212354/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/i-am-groot-trailer-vin-diesel-1235279375/ |archive-date=July 22, 2022 |access-date=July 23, 2022 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Moreau |first=Jordan |date=November 23, 2022 |title=James Gunn Brings Hilarious, Holiday Hijinks in Instantly Classic 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Special: TV Review |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/tv-reviews/guardians-galaxy-holiday-special-review-1235439842/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124155501/https://variety.com/2022/tv/tv-reviews/guardians-galaxy-holiday-special-review-1235439842/ |archive-date=November 24, 2022 |access-date=November 24, 2022 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jirak |first=Jamie |date=November 18, 2022 |title=Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: James Gunn Teases Rocket's Emotional Ending (Exclusive) |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-james-gunn-teases-rockets-emotional-ending-exclusive/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119161615/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-james-gunn-teases-rockets-emotional-ending-exclusive/ |archive-date=November 19, 2022 |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=[[ComicBook.com]]}}</ref> The last of these focussed on Rocket's traumatic past. It led Jackson Weaver of [[CBC News]] to term Cooper "one of the few genuinely talented live actor turned voice actors".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cbc.ca/news/entertainment/guardians-of-the-galaxy-review-1.6832838 |first=Jackson |last=Weaver |website=[[CBC News]] |date=May 5, 2023 |title=Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is, depressingly, the best Marvel movie since Endgame |access-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514041213/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/guardians-of-the-galaxy-review-1.6832838 |url-status=live}}</ref> Cooper next directed, produced and co-wrote ''[[Maestro (2023 film)|Maestro]]'' (2023), a biographical drama about the relationship between composer [[Leonard Bernstein]] and his wife [[Felicia Montealegre Bernstein|Felicia Montealegre]], in which he also portrayed Bernstein opposite [[Carey Mulligan]]'s Montealegre.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2022/05/maestro-first-look-bradley-cooper-leonard-bernstein-1234729434/ |title='Maestro' First Look: Bradley Cooper Is Leonard Bernstein in 'A Star Is Born' Follow-Up |last=Zilko |first=Christian |date=May 30, 2022 |website=Indiewire}}</ref> He was hired by filmmaker [[Steven Spielberg]] to direct the project after a screening of ''A Star is Born''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.upi.com/amp/Entertainment_News/TV/2022/01/12/Bradley-Cooper-Late-Show-Maestro/7891641992764/ |title=Bradley Cooper says Steven Spielberg hired him to helm 'Maestro' |work=UPI |first=Wade |last=Sheridan |date=January 12, 2022 |access-date=August 20, 2023}}</ref> Controversy arose over Cooper's use of a [[Nose prosthesis|prosthetic nose]] to play Bernstein, which some considered an example of "[[Jewface]]".<ref>{{cite news |last=Pulver |first=Andrew |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/aug/16/bradley-cooper-in-jewface-storm-after-leonard-bernstein-trailer-reveals-prosthetic-nose |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816153643/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/aug/16/bradley-cooper-in-jewface-storm-after-leonard-bernstein-trailer-reveals-prosthetic-nose |title=Bradley Cooper in 'Jewface' storm after Leonard Bernstein trailer reveals prosthetic nose |date=August 16, 2023 |work=The Guardian |access-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Cooper was defended by both Bernstein's children and the [[Anti-Defamation League]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Bradley Cooper Defended by Leonard Bernstein Family Over ''Maestro'' Prosthetic Nose |last=Abramovitch |first=Seth |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 16, 2023 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/bradley-cooper-leonard-bernstein-family-maestro-prosthetic-nose-1235567972/ |access-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817190341/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/bradley-cooper-leonard-bernstein-family-maestro-prosthetic-nose-1235567972/ |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Shanfeld |first=Ethan |title=Bradley Cooper's Prosthetic Nose in 'Maestro' Is Not Antisemitic, Anti-Defamation League Says |magazine=Variety |date=August 21, 2023 |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/bradley-cooper-prosthetic-nose-maestro-not-antisemitic-anti-defamation-league-1235701214/ |access-date=August 23, 2023}}</ref> Reviewing the film for [[BBC Culture]], Nicholas Barber wrote, "''Maestro'' confirms what was suggested by Cooper's directorial debut, ''A Star Is Born''. He has sky-high ambitions, and he has the technical virtuosity and big-hearted sincerity to fulfil those ambitions with flair".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barber |first=Nicholas |date=September 2, 2023 |title=Maestro review: Bradley Cooper's Bernstein biopic is a hit |publisher=[[BBC Culture]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230902-maestro-review-bradley-coopers-bernstein-biopic-is-a-hit |access-date=September 2, 2023}}</ref> He earned two more BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations for his direction and performance, in addition to three more Academy Award nominations for his production, writing, and performance.<ref name="ggnom23">{{cite web |last1=Hipes |first1=Patrick |title=Golden Globe Nominations: 'Barbie', 'Oppenheimer' Top Movie List; 'Succession' Leads Way In TV |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/golden-globe-nominations-2024-1235660995/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=December 11, 2023 |date=December 11, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first1=Alex |last1=Ritman |last2=Shafer |first2=Ellise |date=January 18, 2024 |title=BAFTA Film Awards Nominations: 'Oppenheimer' and 'Poor Things' Lead as 'Barbie' Falls Short |url=https://variety.com/2024/awards/global/bafta-film-awards-nominations-2024-1235876088/ |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=Variety}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=January 23, 2024 |title=Oscar Nominations: The Complete List |website=Deadline Hollywood |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/2024-oscar-nominations-list-1235801088/ |access-date=January 23, 2024}}</ref>

Cooper will next produce Phillips' sequel ''[[Joker: Folie à Deux]]'', starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/joker-2-image-joaquin-phoenix/ |title='Joker 2': Joaquin Phoenix Returns in First Look at Sequel (Photo) |website=TheWrap |first=Umberto |last=Gonzalez |date=December 10, 2022 |access-date=December 10, 2022}}</ref>