Paul Thomas Anderson is putting together a star-studded cast for his new film, and guess who’s in it? Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Regina Hall!
The movie is in the works at Warner Bros., and it’s got some familiar faces behind the scenes, too – Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy from the studio’s picture group, who collaborated with Anderson on his last hit, Licorice Pizza, back when they were at MGM.
Anderson is not just the man with the plan; he’s also the wordsmith behind the script. Teaming up with him for production are Adam Somner and Sara Murphy, who previously worked with the director on Licorice Pizza.
Paul Anderson is gearing up for his next big project, and it’s shaping up to be his most star-studded yet.
The untitled film has bagged Oscar winners Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, along with Regina Hall, known for her roles in “Girls Trip” and “The Hate U Give.” Set to kick off production this month in California, the contemporary ensemble piece is keeping its plot tightly under wraps.
The movie, a Warner Bros. production, has been shrouded in secrecy, with the studio trying to keep its involvement hush-hush for months. What’s catching attention, besides the A-list cast, is the hefty budget—rumored to be nearing $100 million.
While Anderson is celebrated for his cinematic brilliance and has scored multiple Oscar nominations for classics like “Phantom Thread” and “Boogie Nights,” he doesn’t always hit the jackpot commercially. “Licorice Pizza,” his recent venture, suffered losses despite being critically acclaimed.
Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, who took the reins at Warner Bros. in 2022, share a history with Anderson dating back to “Boogie Nights” at New Line.
Now that DiCaprio is part of the team, they’re hoping to make the movie more popular. DiCaprio is a big deal at the box office, with hits like “The Revenant” and “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and his involvement adds a lot of star power to the project.
It’s interesting because DiCaprio and Penn were first thought about for roles in “Boogie Nights.” Working with them again adds an extra layer to Anderson’s journey as a filmmaker.
With Warner Bros. trying out new things under De Luca and Abdy, this mysterious Anderson project could be a game-changer. The impressive cast and big investment make it stand out. Now that you know what’s happening, let’s find out more about Paul Thomas Anderson.
Who is Paul Thomas Anderson?
Alright, so Paul Thomas Anderson, or just PTA, is this super-talented American filmmaker born on June 26, 1970. He’s basically a big deal in the movie world, scoring eleven Academy Award nominations, nabbing three Golden Globe nods, and bagging eight BAFTA Award nominations (with a win for Best Original Screenplay).
This guy has won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival, the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival, and both the Silver and Golden Bear at Berlin Film Festival. You can say he’s kind of a big shot.
His films? Well, they’re like deep dives into messed-up characters dealing with life’s craziness. Think dysfunctional families, loneliness, redemption – all that good stuff. And visually, he’s got this cool style with lots of moving cameras and long takes.
He started his directing journey with “Hard Eight” in ’96, hit the jackpot with “Boogie Nights” in ’97, and kept the hits coming with “Magnolia” in ’99 and “Punch-Drunk Love” in 2002. Oh, and “There Will Be Blood” in 2007? People still talk about it like it’s one of the best films of the 21st century.
Fast forward, and you’ve got “The Master” (2012), “Inherent Vice” (2014), “Phantom Thread” (2017), and his latest buzzworthy flick “Licorice Pizza” (2021).
This guy has a squad he always works with – cinematographer Robert Elswit, costume guru Mark Bridges, and music maestros Jon Brion and Jonny Greenwood. And not just movies – he’s done music videos for some big names like Fiona Apple, Haim, and Radiohead.
Beyond the big screen, he’s dabbled in documentaries, making “Junun” in 2015 and the short music film “Anima” in 2019. Basically, Paul Thomas Anderson is a filmmaking wizard who’s left his mark on the world of cinema.
Looking into His Personal Life
Anderson’s got a plant-powered lifestyle – he’s a vegan. Back in the late ’90s, he was romantically involved with musician Fiona Apple until around 2000. Now, Fiona spilled the tea in 2020, sharing that Anderson had some anger issues.
Like, he once went Hulk mode and threw a chair across the room. Another time, he apparently shoved her out of his car. Fiona said she felt “fearful and numb” during that relationship. Yikes!
But let’s shift to happier times. Since November 2001, Anderson’s been in a relationship with the amazing actress and comedian Maya Rudolph.
They’ve got their love nest in the San Fernando Valley, and the cherry on top – they’re raising four kiddos together. So, it’s all good vibes in the Anderson-Rudolph household.
