Joaquin Phoenix in talks for Paul Thomas Anderson’s untitled religious drama

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Hey Joaquin Phoenix, it would be nice to have you back in the world of acting. We could use someone like you. Wait, looks like Paul Thomas Anderson needs someone for that “Scientology” project, you wanna do that? Sure you do.

Sorry about my imaginary one way conversation with Joaquin Phoenix. It does have some facts in it though. Phoenix might come out of his retirement to do the untitled religious film directed and written by Paul Thomas Anderson. The original script, “chronicles a disaffected disciple’s relationship with the founder of a new faith that closely mirrors Scientology.”

Phoenix would join Phillip Seymour Hoffman who will play Lancaster Dodd, a charismatic intellectual known as The Master. The role Phoenix would land is the one of Freddie Sutton, an alcoholic drifter who becomes Dodd’s right-hand man that later begins question his manipulative mentor.

Annapurna Pictures is looking to finance the period project. Universal were considering funding then decided against it due to the mid-range budget.

Anderson is also working the adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s novel, “Inherent Vice” which will star Robert Downey Jr.