There aren’t many films we report rumored release dates for, but this morning is a wonderful exception. While a few people are reporting a rumored Cannes bow for the next drama from Paul Thomas Anderson, I can’t imagine we’d see the film unspool that earlier. With The Weinstein Company not confirming a theatrical release date, we’ve been heavily anticipating when his sixth feature would arrive. Producers rumored late 2012 way back last summer, but now we’ve got a new hint.
Producer Megan Ellison, of Annapurna Pictures, tweeted to Cigs & Red Vines this morning that while “it’s still a bit early” she says to keep our eyes on October. The Weinstein Co. has The Wettest County in August, Killing Them Softly (aka Cogan’s Trade) in September and then the political satire Butter in early October. With their heavy hitters Django Unchained and The Silver Linings Playbook arriving in December and November, respectively, a late October bow could certainly work well.
If that is the case, I’d be on the look out for fall festival premieres as well. Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood is currently writing the score on his tour, re-teaming with Anderson after There Will Be Blood, so things are moving along. For those that haven’t kept up with the plot, Philip Seymour Hoffman leads as a man “who returns after witnessing the horrors of WWII and tries to rediscover who he is in post-war America. He creates a belief system, something that catches on with other lost souls.”
Loosely based on L. Ron Hubbard, the creator of Scientology, Joaquin Phoenix plays Freddie, “a young drifter who is swept up in the movement and becomes Hoffman’s character’s lieutenant. As everything builds, however, Freddie begins to question the system he’s helped to create.” The supporting cast includes Amy Adams, Laura Dern, David Warshofsky, Rami Malek, Jesse Plemons, Madisen Beaty, Joshua Close and Fiona Dourif.
What do you think of a possible October release for The Master?