Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master' Eyeing An October Release Date

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by Kevin Jagernauth
March 6, 2012 10:12 AM
8 Comments

Pretty much working under a veil of secrecy, not much has been known about Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming, untitled maybe-about-Scientology, religious cult drama also known as "The Master." What we do know is that is stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams and Laura Dern, was shot in 65mm, has Jonny Greenwood doing the score, with the story taking place just after WWII, centering on a man who founds a new belief system and takes a young man under his wing. And oh yeah, some behind the scenes pics surfaced late last year as well. But that's about it. Speculation about the film appearing at Cannes or being an awards season player have been kicked around and while we'll have to wait and see on the former, the latter is seemingly more like.

PTA fansite Cigarettes & Red Vines, have contacted the film's producer Megan Ellison (of Annapurna Pictures) via Twitter regarding a potential release date for the film and she hit them back saying: "I know you guys are waiting on a release date for 'the Master', and it's still a bit early, but I'd keep my eyes on October."

Whether that's a wide release or a festival bow remains to be seen, as the site notes that "There Will Be Blood" made its world premiere at Fantastic Fest at the end of September in 2007. Whether this will take another detour to a genre fest, or hit a major player like Venice or TIFF first remains to be seen, though Cannes does seem unlikely (but not impossible) this far out.

There's no exact date from The Weinstein Company, nor details on if it will go out in wide release or a limited rollout. But either way, you can lock down "The Master" for 2012. Now let's get some first looks at this thing already.

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8 Comments

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http://slatethemovie.com | March 18, 2012 8:17 PMReply

Philip Seymour Hoffman as L. Ron Hubbard. Early Oscar prediction.
Edward Davis | March 6, 2012 11:03 AMReply

I guess that's salt in the eye to all the readers who keep saying "the film shouldn't be known as 'The Master!' " if Ellison is saying it herself.
Edward Davis | March 6, 2012 4:10 PM

Lol.
hank | March 6, 2012 3:37 PM

it's not called The Master.
JD | March 6, 2012 10:59 AMReply

Having read an early draft of this, I'd say it's definitely at least partly about Scientology. However, it functions more as character study than critique of a belief system. It's about the origins of this belief system, before it has had a chance to get really strange and corrupt. I'd be surprised if Scientologists take offence.
Sachin | March 8, 2012 10:23 PM

How would you rate the script? On par with There Will Be Blood and his other work?
Edward Davis | March 6, 2012 11:05 AM

Remember how "There Will Be Blood" used Upton Sinclair's "Oil," as a jumping off point to explore that story? Having read the same draft, it's like PTA is using L. Ron Hubbard's story and the story of Scientology as a jumping off point to examine religion, hubris, self-made men, etc.
Armando | March 6, 2012 10:25 AMReply

Can.Not.Wait!!