Following Phantom Thread, Paul Thomas Anderson safely embarked on the production of his next film during the pandemic last summer, going under the working title of Soggy Bottom. While we named it one of our most-anticipated films of 2021, there wasn’t confirmation we’d actually see it this year––until now.
We’ve confirmed with United Artists Releasing that the film––currently going by Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson––is set for a wide release on December 25, 2021, following a limited debut on November 26, 2021. Although not revealing the cast, synopsis, or title, UAR has confirmed that PTA is credited with directing and writing the film, and producing alongside Sara Murphy. The credited production companies are MGM, in association with BRON Creative and Ghoulardi Film Company.
This release date sets the film during one of the busiest seasons of the year at a time when theaters will hopefully be back in full force. The Matrix 4, The King’s Man, Downton Abbey 2, Sing 2, and Denzel Washington’s Journal for Jordan will all be opening that week, while Spider-Man: No Way Home arrives the week before. We also imagine Guillermo del Toro’s Nightmare Alley, which arrives in limited release on December 3, will want to take advantage of the holiday viewing audience and expand around then.
As we await the full cast list, it’s been previously reported that Philip Seymour Hoffman’s son, Cooper Hoffman, as well as Bradley Cooper, Alana Haim, Benny Safdie, Nate Mann, and Mary Elizabeth Ellis all take part in the film. The story, set in 1970s San Fernando Valley, features a high school student and successful child actor (Hoffman), as well an old-school producer/director (Cooper), and a politician running for office (Safdie).
Follow updates on the film here.