- Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Regina Hall.
- The untitled project has a budget of around $100 million, marking Anderson’s most commercial effort yet.
- Warner Bros. is leading the project, building on their prior collaboration with Anderson on Licorice Pizza.
Acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson has enlisted Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Regina Hall for his next film. The high-profile actors are set to headline the yet-untitled project, which marks Anderson’s most commercial movie to date.
According to Deadline, the film will start shooting this year in California, with Anderson not only directing but also writing the script. He is teaming up with producers Sara Murphy and Adam Somner on the project. Although DiCaprio, Penn, and Hall are the main stars, the movie is expected to feature a sizeable ensemble cast.
Details surrounding the project are scarce, but it is known to be set in a contemporary context. With a rumored budget of around $100 million, as Variety reports, this new venture marks a departure from Anderson’s usual critically acclaimed, character-driven films such as The Master, Magnolia, and There Will Be Blood.
Warner Bros. is heading the project under co-CEOs Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, who previously worked with Anderson on Licorice Pizza during their tenure at MGM. The film, released in 2021, garnered critical acclaim and was nominated for several awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay at the 94th Academy Awards.
This collaboration comes after Warner Bros. announced a new deal with Tom Cruise, allowing the actor to produce original and franchise films from his own office on the Burbank lot in California. The studio enjoyed success in 2023 with the mega-hit Barbie, which grossed $1.4 billion worldwide, but also faced setbacks with the closure of the DCEU and shelved projects.
This film marks DiCaprio’s first time working with Anderson. The actor is currently receiving attention for his role in Killers of the Flower Moon, which has earned him a Screen Actors Guild nomination. Sean Penn previously collaborated with Anderson on Licorice Pizza, while Regina Hall is known for her work in Peacock’s The Best Man: The Final Chapter.