It's been quite some time since we've seen anything from 'The Master,' well those of us that aren't Emily Watson anyway. During principal photography it looked like we'd be getting frequent peeks at the goings on of the film as reports of cast and costumed extras were rolling in. But (aside from the fact that filming having wrapped up months ago) there really hasn't been a single leak since Stellar Spa took down the pics back in June. Well today, thanks to BlackBook and set photographer Jack Erling, we have another behind-the-scenes look at the film. Take a look after the jump...
Huge props to MTVNews for really using every excuse to ask people about PTA. A few weeks ago they cornered Rami Malek for some details on 'The Master' and today they've gotten a few good quotes out of Robert Downey Jr. about the rumors of their collaboration on 'Inherent Vice.' Now 'Vice' if you don't remember is an adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's novel about an L.A.-based private eye who takes on a case involving an ex-girlfriend, her real estate billionaire boyfriend and a kidnapping. Paul wrote the screenplay back in 2010 after running into trouble with 'The Master' financing and with Downey rumored to be attached, it looked as if 'Vice' had a good chance of going before cameras first.
But this was all before film saint Megan Ellison swooped in and Annapurna Pictures decided to finance both projects and Paul decided to rewrite 'The Master' and do that instead/first. Word has been quiet on the project while he's been busy on the aforementioned film so we can assume there hasn't really been any movement on it for some time. When asked about the project Downey didn't really confirm or deny but definitely seems anxious to work with Paul.
"Anything to do with Paul Thomas Anderson and I doing a movie together is probably true," Downey Jr. said. "We tend to talk about a variety of potential projects, and Thomas Pynchon's 'Inherent Vice' could be great, we'll see."
"I feel like I'm booked but I'm not. I make space for what I want to do," he said, adding that what he enjoys most about Anderson is the fact that he's talented and just darn likeable.
"I just think he's one of our great American directors, I just like hanging out with the guy."
Cross your fingers that with financing already in place and a script that should be ready to go, we won't be waiting another 5 years between films. That is of course, assuming that Paul doesn't decide he wants to rewrite it heavily or do something else entirely. (Thanks @angel_glands & Charlie for the heads up!)
Stay tuned to Twitter and Facebook. We have another little post about 'The Master' coming up in a few...
Diablo Cody is a divisive figure in the film world. She won a screenwriting Oscar at 29 for her debut film -- the Jason Reitman directed "Juno" -- but quickly became the target of a backlash against the film's stylized dialogue and apparent "quirkiness." (For what it's worth, we actually liked it.) Cody and Reitman both went off and made other pictures but have reteamed once again for "Young Adult" featuring Charlize Theron as an author of teen novels who goes back to her hometown to reclaim her high school sweetheart. During the press rounds for the film Reitman, Cody, Theron and co-star Patton Oswalt (Delmer Darion himself) were asked which actor or director's they really admired and Cody called herself out as a PTA fan girl and professed her admiration for "Punch-Drunk Love" in particular. Read on (via Collider)...
Diablo Cody: I know a lot of people feel this way, so it’s not the most original answer. I’m the most insane unrepentant Paul Thomas Anderson fan girl. I’ve been watching actually Punch Drunk Love a lot lately. I really love that movie. To express that kind of truth in a film is to me so amazing. Even late last night I was watching this old video he directed for Fiona Apple and I was like I couldn’t even make a feature film as powerful as this three minute video. I just think he is awesome.
Patton Oswalt: I love the beginning of Magnolia, the thing about the dealer. That scene is genius. Brilliantly acted.
There you have it, she's just like us! We caught "Young Adult" the other night and thought was a very good film. Unflinchingly dark at times featuring a monster performance by Theron, it's probably also a career best for both Cody and Reitman and should serve to silence the haters. The film opens this Friday if you get a chance to see it or you can just pop in your 'PDL' dvd one more time while we wait for the Blu-ray.
As always, please follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news and updates.
Moviefone sat down with "War Horse" star Emily Watson and while talking to her about her career, the conversation turned to her (magnificent) work in "Punch-Drunk Love." The actress mentioned that she'd love to work with Paul again and then let slip that she's actually seen the first 30 minutes of 'The Master.' Take it away, Emily...
One of my favorite movies is 'Punch-Drunk Love.'
[A big smile overcomes her face] Yeah. Me, too.
Were you at all hesitant to take that role? Not with P.T. Anderson, but maybe there was a concern about this being an Adam Sandler wacky comedy?
No, I knew. Paul came to me and said, "I'm doing this film with Adam and I'd like you to be in it." And the idea of the two of us in a room together tickled me pink. Just particularity where he was at and where I was at -- we were from different planets. And I thought, what a delicious idea.
You two should do another movie together.
I'd love to! I would love to do another movie.
I think people do miss the Sandler who pushed himself like that.
Yeah. And he had an incredible work ethic. We did hundreds of takes ... Well, not hundreds, but take after take after take. Adam just went at it, went at it, went at it. He completely gave over to being in a Paul Thomas Anderson movie. He gave himself over to it in a very self-effacing way. It's lovely.
And it's been so long since we've seen a Paul Thomas Anderson movie.
He has made one, I saw the first half an hour.
Of 'The Master'?
It's going to be incredible. I'm not going to say anything more on that. He'll kill me!
So the first half hour already exists?
Oh, yeah. Well ... they're editing.
Very, very exciting. Our fingers are still crossed there might be some sort of footage released before the end of the year but with likely a full 12 months to go before release we understand if Paul wants to keep a tight lid on things. But that doesn't mean we're not jealous.
As always, please follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news and updates.
We had a feeling this would be the case but for some reason that doesn't make it any less thrilling to see it confirmed: Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood is returning to score 'The Master.' His work on "There Will Be Blood" was brilliant and undoubtedly one of the highlights of the film so it's an absolute joy to hear that he'll be back for another round. This news comes via a tweet on 12/2 by British record label Babel founder Oliver Weindling that said simply, "Zed-U recorded part of soundtrack for Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead last week. Film (by Paul Thomas Anderson) to appear in 2013." Zed-U is a British jazz trio signed to Mr. Weindling's label that are apparently being employed by Mr. Greenwood on the soundtrack. You can check out a few videos of the group below.
The one question we have in all of this: 2013?
A commenter has pointed out that it's likely true the films U.K. release would be in 2013 if it's still on track for a late 2012 U.S. release. Crisis averted. (Thanks for the headsup, Charlie and Dick!)
As always, please follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news and updates.
Well the unofficial press tour continues. Collider recently got a chance to sit down with Amy Adams and after their chat about "The Muppets" asked about her collaboration with PTA on 'The Master,' (a title which she did not correct, btw). Watch the clip and you can see her get visibly excited to talk about the experience.
Amy Adams: It was amazing. I have to say it feels like, it almost feels like it didn't happen. I know that sounds very strange to say but you kind of go into this world where you're so invested in the character and Joaquin [Phoenix] and Philip [Seymour Hoffman] are so amazing and you're just in it. It was just an amazing experience, enveloping and really transformative for me personally so I just hope that's on the screen. I mean it's Paul Thomas Anderson.
Collider: He's known for doing really long takes, did you get to do any of those famous long takes?
Amy: Yeah, yeah it was really fun.
Update 11/22: NYMag also spoke to the actress who managed to get another brief quote from Ms. Adams.
NYMag: I have to say, though, the film I'm most excited for is the one you just made with Paul Thomas Anderson ... ... which was an incredible experience.
NYMag: He directs so rarely ... what was that set like? It's hard to talk about right now, because it was such a surreal experience. I had so many great moments on that set, working with Philip and Joaquin, who are so committed that they just pull you right in. It almost doesn't feel real. It feels like it was a dream, like it didn't really happen. But Paul's a lot funnier than I expected. He is! And I don't know what I expected, but it was a remarkable experience for me. It's my third film with Philip, so it's no secret that I totally love him and would do anything with him, but to get to work with him in this way was really a dream.
There you have it. Drips and drabs. So far we've gotten very tight lipped responses from about half the cast: Laura Dern, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rami Malek and now, Adams. Just think, it can't be too much longer before we get our first look at an actual frame of film. In the meantime you can follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news and updates.
MTVNews caught up with "Twilight" actor Rami Malek at the premiere for the latest installment of the undead franchise and was thoughtful enough to ask about his involvement in the (still untitled?) PTA film. The MTV news correspondent (who, sidebar, goes to the same gym as me), called Paul "the greatest filmmaker alive" and tried digging for details on the film.
Malek: He, to work with is staggering. Staggering man. I play Philip Seymour Hoffman's son-in-law in the movie and... [it was] one of the best experiences of my life.
MTV: Not about Scientology, to put it to rest, right? [pause] Or is it?
Malek: I'm not allowed to talk about that one either. That's one I really have to keep tight-lipped on.
MTV: Okay, well I can't wait to see that one.
Malek: It's going to be really good.
MTV: I know it will, I know it will.
Thanks Xixax for the tip. We also noticed a small shoutout during Morgan's Spurlock product placement doc, "The Greatest Movie Ever Sold," where "Friday Night Lights" director Peter Berg cites Radiohead and Paul Thomas Anderson as being two artists who aren't going to compromise their art to appease brands. Trudat.
As much as we hate to give it any more attention, we should also mention that there was yet another incident recently where someone pretending to be Paul was trying to drum up some attention on Twitter even briefly dragging Julianne Moore into his shenannigans. Please ignore this kind of thing in the future as it's very unlikely that Paul is going to start tweeting in the first place and if he did, we'd be sure to give you a heads up.
In the meantime you can follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news and updates. Please tell your friends.
Not the news we expected to wake up to this morning, but hidden in a Variety article about one-time assistant to Scott Rudin, now producer Kevin Walsh is the following gem:
Walsh even inadvertently nabbed a plum acting role when he attended a wedding in which helmer Paul Thomas Anderson officiated as minister. Anderson liked Walsh's retro looks and cast him in his upcoming period drama "The Master."
We would have loved to be at that reception. Anyone have pics? (via xixax)
On a completely unrelated note, if you've ever wondered what Paul looked like in high school click here. And as always, stay tuned on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news and updates.
It may not be terribly exciting, actually it's even less interesting than the one that debuted over the summer, but the above image is a brand new promo poster for Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson Project which was spotted at the American Film Market by Collider. The site has also brought us a (slightly modified) synopsis:
Written and directed by Academy Award nominee Paul Thomas Anderson (the acclaimed director of, There Will Be Blood, Magnolia and Boogie Nights), this story stars Academy Award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote) and Academy Award-nominee Joaquin Phoenix (Walk the Line). Set in America in the years following World War II, a charismatic intellectual (Hoffman) launches a faith-based organization and taps a young drifter (Phoenix) as his right-hand man. But as the faith begins to gain a fervent following, the onetime vagabond finds himself questioning the belief system he has embraced, and his mentor. A truly one-of-a-kind drama, which promises magnetic virtuoso performances, the film marks the fifth collaboration between Anderson and Hoffman, following Hard Eight, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and Punch Drunk Love.
Now many of you are probably asking, why is it being billed as "Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson Project" after we thought it had been titled "The Master" back in June? Well, we're not sure actually. In June @TheInsneider at Variety said it was confirmed (and we figured Variety was a pretty legit source) but it seems very possible that may not be the final title after all or maybe Paul's just keeping his options open. It would definitely be a little strange at this point to start referring to it as something else, especially after a year of it being "The Master" but trust in Paul, all will be revealed.
